BYU doctorate student’s visa reinstated after unexpected revocation

BYU doctorate student’s visa reinstated after unexpected revocation

A Japanese doctorate student at Brigham Young University will now be able to stay in the U.S. after his visa was revoked earlier this month.

BYU student Suguru Onda is a year away from finishing his doctorate. He’s married and has five kids who all live here in Utah. 

When he received word that his visa was revoked, the notice read “Individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked.” 

Onda said he has no criminal history, just a few speeding tickets and a citation for a catch and release violation on a fishing trip with family six years ago. 

He was given 15 days to return to Japan or face deportation. But on Friday, Onda received word that his visa was reinstated.

“He is reinstated as if it was never revoked,” said Adam Crayk, Onda’s immigration attorney.

Crayk said the news of the reinstated visa came just minutes after they filed a lawsuit in federal court. BYU had already received word that his status was clear.

There was no negotiation or communication with immigration officials involved with the reinstatement, Crayk said.

“All I know is BYU received a call (and) he’s now reinstated.”

This means Onda will not have to go back to Japan. Crayk said Onda was “overjoyed” at the news.

Crayk said as far as he knew, the other students involved in the federal lawsuit had not yet received the same news as Onda