A lawyer is challenging aggressive deportation actions after U.S. agents detained a graduate student, raising alarms about how immigration enforcement is affecting campus communities and international scholars. The case, led by attorney Mahsa Khanbabai, highlights the legal limbo students can face and the resource needs of university legal clinics and international‑student offices. Universities and research centers with international populations should reassess emergency legal supports, communications protocols and partnerships with local counsel, as high‑profile detention cases can disrupt research, funding compliance and student wellbeing.