Amid government shutdown, UI international students' federal lawsuit, appeal put on pause

A federal government shutdown has paused a lawsuit involving four international students from the University of Iowa, as the Department of Justice requested a stay due to limited resources. The legal battle began in April after the students' visa statuses were revoked, leading to a preliminary injunction that protects them from deportation. Assistant U. S. Attorney Andrew Kahl indicated that the shutdown restricts government resources for civil litigation unrelated to public safety.

The case has been stayed in both the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The students, two from China and two from India, initially used pseudonyms but later revealed their identities to continue the legal proceedings. Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger granted the motion to stay on October 24, and a decision on the appeal was expected before the shutdown.

The abeyance period lasts until government funding resumes or for 21 days, until November 14. The outcome will significantly impact the students' futures and their ability to remain in the U. S.