Increased Visa Restrictions Spur Second Thoughts Among US-Bound International Students Regarding Summer Journeys
Student Travel Stalls Amid U.S. Immigration Crackdown
On a break from his Ph.D. program at the University of California, San Diego, an international student was set to jet off to Hawaii with friends. However, the unease brewing across the nation due to the Trump administration's immigration policies made him reconsider. Instead, he chose solitude, keeping distances from government agencies to lessen potential risks.
"I'm probably gonna skip that, you know," he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity, fearful of coming under scrutiny. "I want to limit my contacts with authorities as much as possible."
International students pondering trips for research, vacations, or family visits face growing doubts. The administration's escalated crackdown on student visas has increased a sense of vulnerability among these students.
Even before the recent wave of students losing their status, some universities urged international students and faculty to postpone travel, citing heightened government efforts to deport students linked to pro-Palestinian activism. As the scale of the status terminations unfolded, more institutions have advised against non-essential travel abroad for international students.
For instance, University of California, Berkeley, issued an advisory last week, warning about the risks associated with upcoming international travel due to "rigorous 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. What's more alarming is that the number of affected students appears much higher, with at least 4,736 international students' visa records terminated in a government database, as revealed in an April 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement response to Congressional inquiries.
Faced with the real threat of deportation, some students have gone into hiding, while others left the country voluntarily. Many of these students reported minor infractions on their records or no apparent reasons for their records being revoked.
Following protests from federal judges regarding due process concerns, the U.S. government has revoked these terminations but then issued new guidance that broadens the reasons for status termination. Now, valid reasons include revoked visas that students originally used to enter the U.S. In the past, students could complete their education in the U.S. even if their visas got revoked, but they would be unable to re-enter if they left the country.
This fluid situation has left colleges grappling to guide students. A college employee from Michigan, who maintains contacts with international students to help navigate visa issues, disclosed that there has been an influx of queries about summer travel. This employee, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, admitted that he was often unable to provide satisfactory answers.
With the U.S. hosting around 1.1 million international students annually, this uncertainty could dent the appeal of studying in the U.S., analysts warn. Immigration law firms across the country, like Rishi Oza's in North Carolina, have been receiving regular inquiries about travel risks from individuals with diverse immigration statuses, including international students.
"It's really puzzling," Oza said. "It seems like an odd situation that people are hesitant to leave and worry whether they'll be allowed to return."
Students in the U.S. with a valid visa should weigh whether their travels are essential, Oza advised. When returning after a trip, students should carry immigration documents, school transcripts, and even court documents (if they were charged with a crime and the court dismissed the case), as the airport experience may be unpredictable, he stated.
An international student at the University of Illinois, who requested anonymity to escape scrutiny, finds himself in a kerfuffle. He is scheduled to travel to his Asian homeland this summer but feels anxious about the journey and the uncertain welcome back.
"At the moment, I'm terrified that I might not be granted re-entry," he said.
Additional Insight:International students contribute significantly to the U.S. economy—both through tuition payments and stimulating local economies. The crackdown on student visas and broader immigration policies might result in a decline in the number of international students, impacting the U.S. economy negatively. Furthermore, the DHS's increased monitoring of student activities on social media raises concerns about privacy and freedom of speech among international students, fostering a chilling effect on activism.
- The escalated crackdown on student visas by the Trump administration has led to a sense of vulnerability among international students, causing many to reconsider travel plans.
- Universities have advised international students to avoid non-essential travel due to the increased government efforts to deport students linked to pro-Palestinian activism or minor infractions on their records.
- Some universities like the University of California, Berkeley, have warned about the risks associated with international travel due to rigorous vetting and enforcement by the government.
- Colleges are grappling to guide students, with college employees receiving an influx of queries about summer travel from international students, often unable to provide satisfactory answers.
- Immigration law firms, such as Rishi Oza's in North Carolina, have been receiving regular inquiries about travel risks from international students.
- An international student at the University of Illinois is anxious about traveling this summer, fearing he might not be granted re-entry to the U.S. due to the fluid immigration situation.
