A federal court in the United States has issued a temporary block on the deportation of Matthew Ariwoola, a Nigerian PhD chemistry student at the University of South Carolina, amid an intensified immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump.
The case stems from a decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revoke Ariwoola’s student visa on April 8, 2025, due to what authorities later described as a case of mistaken identity. The revocation was tied to a 2023 criminal warrant issued in Georgia, a state Ariwoola asserts he has never visited.
The visa cancellation forced Ariwoola out of classes and halted his academic research, placing him at risk of immediate deportation. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Carolina filed a legal challenge on his behalf.
On April 18, U.S. District Judge Jacquelyn Austin granted a 14-day temporary restraining order halting Ariwoola’s removal and restoring his access to student privileges. Homeland Security subsequently reinstated his visa status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks international students in the U.S.
Judge Austin extended the restraining order three times before issuing a preliminary injunction on June 13, barring the government from further actions against Ariwoola pending the outcome of the case. In her ruling, the judge upheld the court’s jurisdiction and acknowledged that the matter raised significant constitutional questions.
Ariwoola, who continues his doctoral studies, welcomed the ruling as a powerful message for international students facing unjust treatment.
“This victory, though temporary, is a huge source of hope for international students who are unfairly targeted,” he said. “I’m especially thankful to the ACLU-SC and the court for ensuring that justice prevails. I hope this encourages others to speak up and fight back.”
The case has drawn attention amid broader concerns about the Trump administration’s revived immigration agenda. Since returning to office in January 2025, President Trump has accelerated efforts to deport undocumented migrants, with foreign students increasingly ensnared in enforcement actions.
For now, Ariwoola remains in the country, continuing both his academic work and his legal fight.
