When activating assignment from waitlist, status changes to pending active

Summary

When i attempt to force add a learner from the waitlist by activating their assignment, their status changes from waitlisted to pending active.

Content

When I attempt to force add a learner from the waitlist by activating their assignment, their status changes from waitlisted to pending active. Why does it not change to Not Started like everyone else in the active list? What am I missing to activate their assignment. 

Additional info: I clicked no when it asked if I wanted to increase capacity and approvals for withdrawals are bypassed.