During their summer break from a Ph.D. program at the University of California, San Diego, an international student was making plans for a trip to Hawaii with some friends. However, after observing how challenging things were for international students throughout the U.S.,
deprived of their legal standing
, the student opted out of it.
Traveling anywhere within the U.S. seemed too risky to be worthwhile.
“I likely will avoid that to … minimize my interactions with government entities,” stated the student, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of potential targeting.
International students considering traveling abroad to visit relatives, go on holiday, or carry out research are giving these plans second thought due to
Trump administration’s crackdown
, which has contributed to a feeling of vulnerability.
Before students unexpectedly started losing their ability to study in the U.S., certain institutions were actively promoting the enrollment of international students and faculty.
postpone travel
, citing government efforts to deport students involved in
pro-Palestinian activism
. As the scale of the status terminations emerged in recent weeks, more schools have cautioned against non-essential travel abroad for international students.
University of California, Berkeley, for one, issued an advisory last week saying upcoming international travel was risky due to “strict vetting and enforcement.”
At least 1,220 students at 187 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records.
The number of affected students appears far higher, though. At least 4,736 international students’ visa records were terminated in a government database that maintains their legal status, according to an April 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement response to inquiries from Congress.
Suddenly at risk for deportation, some students
went into hiding
while others
left the country
on their own. Many of the students said they had only minor infractions on their records or didn’t know why their records were removed.
Following due process objections raised by federal judges in multiple student cases, the U.S. government
reversed the terminations
but subsequently provided updated instructions
expanding the reasons
International students might have their legal status change in the future.
According to the updated regulations, legitimate grounds for ending one’s status encompass the cancellation of the visas that international students utilized to gain entry into the United States. Previously, should a student’s visa be rescinded, they were typically permitted to remain within the U.S. until their studies concluded. The caveat being, departure from and subsequent return to the nation would not have been permissible.
The rapidly changing circumstances have put colleges in a difficult position when advising their students.
A staff member at a Michigan college who assists international students with their visa procedures mentioned that these students are increasingly asking questions regarding summer travels. This individual requested confidentiality as they were unauthorized to communicate with the press but stated that they frequently struggle to provide comprehensive responses.
The previous year, approximately 1.1 million international students were studying in the U.S., providing crucial tuition income for numerous institutions. Supporters argue that this figure could decrease due to stricter policies undermining America’s attractiveness to these students.
In recent weeks, Rishi Oza’s immigration practice based in North Carolina has been fielding nearly daily inquiries concerning travel dangers from individuals with different immigration statuses, such as foreign students.
Oza mentioned, “You somewhat nod your head and ask, ‘Is this how we want our nation to be?’ It appears quite imbalanced that individuals are afraid of departing and uncertainty about their return.”
Students in the U.S. who hold a visa must determine whether their travel is essential, according to Oza.
If they plan to return after exiting the nation, individuals ought to carry their immigration papers, academic records, and also judicial documents—if they faced charges but those were subsequently dropped by the courts. Still, attorneys cannot predict how things might unfold at the airport, he noted.
The unpredictability has put one international student at the University of Illinois in distress. The student, who requested anonymity to avoid being targeted, has laid low since one of his classmates left the country after their legal status was terminated.
The student’s plan to travel to his home country in Asia this summer causes feelings of panic, but he has nowhere else to stay. He bought his plane ticket and is committed to the trip. His anxiety over what could happen when he returns, however, is still there.
“Right now,” he said, “I’m afraid I might not be able to come back.”
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