A UB graduate filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government last Tuesday to reinstate his visa that was terminated over a four-year-old traffic misdemeanor.
Kiran Manjunatha, one of the 13 current and former UB students whose visas were terminated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) two weeks ago, was previously charged with a misdemeanor due to driving without a license. The case was dismissed one year later and Manjunatha has not engaged in criminal activity since, according to the filed suit.
Before his visa termination, Manjunatha worked for Citibank as part of a federal post-graduate temporary employment program.
Manjunatha is no longer in the country, citing a fear of detention and deportation to a foreign country, specifically citing El Salvador.
As of April 10, approximately 271 Salvadoran and Venezuelan migrants had been deported to El Salvador, with 90% determined to not have a criminal record. The Trump administration acknowledged ICE mistakenly deported Kilmar Garcia to El Salvador in a filing on April 1, but continues to be vague on plans regarding Garcia’s release.
Aaron Aisen, Manjunatha’s attorney, did not respond to The Spectrum’s request for comment by the time of publication.
Manjunatha’s case is not unique, with two other UB students’ visas being terminated over traffic violations.
At least 1,024 students over 160 institutions have had their legal status terminated nationwide reported by the Associated Press as of last Friday.
The news desk can be reached at news@ubspectrum.com
