U.S. Court Halts Deportation of Nigerian Chemistry Scholar Amid Trump Immigration Crackdown

A U.S. federal court has issued an order preventing the deportation of Nigerian PhD student Matthew Ariwoola, who faced removal from the United States after his visa was abruptly revoked under the Trump administration’s revived immigration enforcement.

The incident began on April 8, 2025, when U.S. immigration officials cancelled Ariwoola’s student visa without prior notice, citing a 2023 criminal warrant mistakenly linked to him in Georgia a state he has never visited. As a result, the University of South Carolina chemistry researcher was barred from continuing his academic duties and faced immediate risk of deportation.

To challenge the decision, Ariwoola sought assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, which filed a legal suit on his behalf. On the same day, a South Carolina district judge issued an emergency order preventing immigration authorities from pursuing deportation and temporarily reinstated his student status.

Six days later, Homeland Security restored his record in the official student tracking system, enabling him to resume his studies and teaching. The restraining order was later renewed multiple times, leading up to a preliminary injunction granted on June 13. This new order effectively bars any further immigration action against Ariwoola until the case is fully adjudicated.

In the court’s reasoning, the judge determined that all legal standards required for the injunction were met and that Ariwoola’s claims held sufficient merit to warrant protection during ongoing litigation.

Ariwoola is among a growing number of international students impacted by tightened immigration measures under President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda, which has included aggressive moves to revoke student visas en masse.

Reacting to the ruling, Ariwoola described it as a beacon of hope for other students in similar situations.

“I’m deeply thankful for the swift support I received—from my university, the community, and the legal system. This decision is not just about me; it shows that standing up for what’s right can make a difference,” he said.

The case remains active, with the court's injunction allowing Ariwoola to remain in the U.S. and continue his academic work pending final judgment.