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2d ago

Indian Student Celebrated at Graduation While DHS Deportation Order Looms

Priya Saxena’s graduation at South Dakota Mines received loud cheers as a federal court temporarily blocked her deportation; protests continue against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over her immigration policies.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears for a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing
Kristi Noem also gave the DSU administration credit for training students to be more resilient in the cybersecurity field.
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Overview

  • Priya Saxena, an Indian graduate student, earned a doctorate and a master’s degree from South Dakota Mines, receiving loud cheers at her graduation ceremony on May 12, 2025.
  • A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Department of Homeland Security from acting on Saxena’s visa until a May 13 hearing, ensuring her participation in the graduation ceremony.
  • The deportation efforts against Saxena, led by DHS under Secretary Kristi Noem, cite a four-year-old misdemeanor for failing to yield to flashing yellow lights, which her lawsuit argues is not a deportable offense.
  • On May 10, Secretary Noem faced protests and was booed while receiving an honorary degree at Dakota State University, with students and faculty criticizing the decision to honor her.
  • The case has heightened concerns among international students and academic institutions about the stability of visas and the broader implications of immigration enforcement policies.