Cynderila Patrick, a Nigerian graduate of Youngstown State University in Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against former U.S. President Donald Trump following the revocation of her student visa.
Through her lawyer, Rhys Cartwright-Jones, Patrick initiated legal action on Wednesday, arguing that the cancellation of her visa jeopardized her educational and professional prospects.
The 36-year-old’s visa was revoked on April 8, making her one of the many international students affected by the U.S. government’s broad immigration enforcement efforts under Trump’s administration.
Reports indicate that minor infractions, such as traffic violations, were used as grounds to cancel visas for international students, particularly across California campuses.
Patrick, who resides in Maryland, explained that the student visa was crucial for obtaining a work permit in the United States after completing her master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 2024.
According to Cleveland.com, the lawsuit requests a “temporary, preliminary, and permanent order” to have her visa reinstated.
It also claims that her constitutional rights to due process were violated, as she was not properly informed of the reason behind the visa revocation.
“This disruption will seriously impede her ability to gain professional experience in the United States, diminish the value of her educational investment, and put her at a disadvantage in her career field,” Cartwright-Jones wrote in the lawsuit.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi in Akron.
Reports suggest that under Trump’s immigration policies, over 1,000 student visas were revoked nationwide, including 61 in Ohio and 14 at Youngstown State University.
Patrick enrolled at YSU in 2022 and, in 2023, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Intel aimed at students pursuing careers in technology.
She was also actively involved in student organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers.
