Srinagar, April 30 -- Washington, April 30 - The US government has unveiled a new policy that led to thousands of international students abruptly losing their legal status, sparking legal challenges and widespread confusion across campuses. The sudden cancellations, tied to a policy shift by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), affected students flagged through an FBI crime database-even if they had no criminal convictions.

In recent weeks, students were shocked to find their records removed from SEVIS, the database that tracks international student status. Fearing arrest or deportation, some fled the US, while others went into hiding. The government has since begun reinstating legal status amid court cases and public backlash.

Th...