Ga. lawyer represents 150 students across U.S. facing deportation

ATLANTA, Ga. - Atlanta lawyer Charles Kuck says he now represents 150 students nationwide in a lawsuit filed against top leadership from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney General.

“The law here is crystal clear, and that’s what makes it even more frustrating,” said Kuck. “The government knows what they did is wrong. They know that. They just don’t care.”

Kuck said his clients, about 30 of whom are students in Georgia, face potential deportation after their immigration status was suddenly terminated, sometimes leading to the revocation of their student visa.

“For them, this is a life-and-death situation. They’re also terrified of being picked up,” Kuck said on behalf of his clients.

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The clients are not listed by name, but instead as John and Jane Doe, for fear of retaliation.

He said while each client’s experience is unique, typically ICE officials terminate a student’s education status through SEVIS, a system created after 9/11 to track international students.

Once a student loses that SEVIS record, the State Department has the authority to revoke a student’s visa.

Kuck said his clients were often not told what alleged crimes or offenses ICE is citing to terminate a student’s status.

“They’re simply saying you failed to maintain status,” Kuck said.

“They (Trump istration) don’t really care for the due process, and students are entitled to due process. They are in the United States. What we’re here to do is to fight for that. Bring normalcy back, restore the process they’re due,” he said.

ICE did not respond to questions surrounding this lawsuit.

The State Department did not provide a number of visa revocations it has istered. A spokesperson said the number is “dynamic.”

“The department revokes visas every day in order to secure America’s borders and keep our communities safe — and will continue to do so,” a State Department spokesperson said.

Kuck said an Atlanta judge is set to hear the case on Thursday.

A judge could grant a emporary restraining order, which would reset a student’s immigration status until a judge ruled on the merits of the case.

On Tuesday, students at Georgia State held an “ICE off our campus” rally outside of the Georgia State University library.

“I’m here because I’m privileged to say that I am a citizen of this country, and I’m here for those that can’t be here,” said Alondra, a senior at GSU. She did not want to give her last name for fear of retaliation.

Organizers said 20 GSU students had their visas recently revoked. A Georgia State spokesperson did not confirm that number.

“Like many universities across the nation, we are closely following developments related to international students and their visa status. Within our scope, and our role as educators, we are committed to doing everything we can to legally our students,” said a GSU spokesperson.

The university also did not respond to questions around the school’s policies on ICE involvement on campus.

The rally came a day after a similar rally at Emory University.

“I’m very proud to see efforts like this on our campus, because it shows we have a voice, it shows we can represent, it shows that we can fight against injustices,” said Raymond Forte, a GSU student.

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