*UPDATE: On April 21, 2025, Judge Michael McShane issued a temporary restraining order, stating that the government “shall restore Plaintiff’s F-1 student record” in the SEVIS system and granting related relief for fourteen days, pending further proceedings.*

Aaron Ortega Gonzalez is a wildlife and conservation scientist and student at Oregon State University working to rebuild rangeland in Oregon that has been scarred by wildfire and develop systems to better manage ecosystem redevelopment after fires have left their mark — skills and innovation needed in Oregon as our wildfire seasons grow more intense and harmful.

Without notice, Aaron’s authorization to study and work on his research – his F-1 student status – was unilaterally terminated by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, upending his work and studies and imperiling his research to improve Oregon’s battles against wildfire. Aaron is not alone. It turns out in April 2025, the U.S. Government began covertly terminating the F-1 student status of numerous university students throughout Oregon and nationwide.

This chaotic approach to people’s lives–and the contributions they make to Oregon’s collective prosperity–is callous and unfair. It is also illegal. Every person is entitled to due process and the U.S. Government is not above the law. So Aaron has gone to court because no person should be secretly stripped of their rights without notice or an opportunity to be heard.