A federal court in the United States has halted the deportation of Nigerian chemistry scholar, Matthew Ariwoola, following an immigration dispute that arose under President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration policies.
The case began on April 8, 2025, when Ariwoola, a PhD student at the University of South Carolina, was informed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had cancelled his student visa.
The revocation was linked to a mistaken identity case involving a 2023 criminal warrant issued in Georgia, a state Ariwoola claims he has never visited.
As a result of the visa cancellation, the Nigerian scholar was barred from his academic duties, including his research and teaching responsibilities.
In response, Ariwoola sought legal assistance from the South Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which promptly filed a lawsuit against DHS on April 18.
That same day, U.S. District Court Judge Jacquelyn Austin granted a temporary 14-day restraining order, barring immigration officials from proceeding with deportation actions.
She also ordered the immediate reinstatement of Ariwoola’s student visa status, allowing him to resume his academic activities.
On April 24, DHS updated Ariwoola’s information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), restoring his legal status as an international student.
Judge Austin later extended the restraining order three additional times before granting a preliminary injunction to prevent further deportation efforts until a final ruling is made.
In her decision, the judge emphasized that the case presented a legitimate legal dispute, and that all necessary conditions for granting the injunction had been met.
A final decision in the matter is expected on June 13.
Ariwoola is one of many international students affected by recent visa revocations since President Trump returned to office in January, as part of his push to fulfill campaign pledges to reduce undocumented migration.
Expressing his relief, Ariwoola credited the court and the ACLU for their swift action and support.
“I’m deeply thankful to everyone who stood by me. This experience has given me hope and I believe it will encourage other international students in similar situations to raise their voices and seek justice,” he said in a statement shared by the university.
