U.S. Court Grants Protections to Ghanaian Doctoral Student Amid Visa Controversy
By Kevin Hendricks
In a pivotal ruling, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico issued a temporary restraining order that allows K.O.D., a Ghanaian doctoral student at New Mexico Tech, to maintain his residency status while completing his education. This decision emerged from a lawsuit K.O.D. filed after his F-1 student status was abruptly terminated, a status necessary for foreign nationals to study in accredited U.S. institutions.
K.O.D.’s lawsuit challenges the actions of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, filed just two days prior to the ruling. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico and Huffman, Wallace & Monagle LLC are representing him in the case.
Shayne Huffman, of Huffman, Wallace & Monagle LLC, highlighted the significance of the ruling: “Every person within our borders deserves protection from arbitrary actions by the U.S. government.” He stressed that K.O.D. should not have his status revoked without due notice or explanation, enabling him to continue his doctoral research without fear of detention or deportation.
The court noted that the termination of K.O.D.’s status appeared arbitrary, posing a risk of irreparable harm. Rebecca Sheff, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of New Mexico, emphasized the ruling’s implications for international students, stating it sends a clear message against arbitrary government actions.
The ACLU noted that K.O.D. has maintained a spotless record during his time in the U.S., and remains unclear why he was targeted. As the lawsuit progresses, K.O.D. and his legal team seek permanent relief, advocating for his right to continue his studies and life in the U.S.
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