Uncertain Summer Vacations: International Students' Travel Plans Shelved Due to U.S. Visa Crackdown
Foreign students across California and beyond weigh summer travel plans amidst tightened visa regulations.
Summerbreak, the much-anticipated break from academia for many, holds little excitement for an international student studying at UC San Diego. Fear of targeted deportation and legal status revocation during the Trump administration's crackdown on international students has left many on edge.
"I'm gonna skip that trip to Hawaii... I don't wanna deal with any hassle from the feds," said one student, preferring to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions.
College campuses nationwide are advising students to reconsider travel plans due to the growing uncertainty surrounding international students' status in the United States.
Even before the surge in visa revocations and terminations, some universities were warning students and faculty about the risks of nonessential travel due to government efforts to deport activists supporting Palestine.
UC Berkeley, for example, issued an advisory last week, cautioning against international travel due to "strict vetting" and "enforcement."
Since late March, at least 1,220 students at 187 colleges, universities, and university systems have seen their visas revoked or legal status terminated, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, school officials' correspondence, and court records. At least 4,736 student visa records have been terminated in a government database, according to an April 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement response to queries from Congress.
The unpredictable nature of the situation has made it challenging for universities to provide clear guidance. International students across the U.S. face the risk of being stripped of their legal status for allegedly questionable reasons or with no explanation at all.
This heightened sense of vulnerability has led many to postpone travel, whether to visit family, conduct research, or enjoy a well-deserved break. For some, the decision to stay put has been forced by the fear of being denied re-entry upon return from travel.
One international student at the University of Illinois voiced his anxiety about traveling home this summer, fearing he might not be allowed back into the U.S. "Right now, I'm afraid I might not be able to come back," he said, squeezed between uncertainty and the need for a break from his studies.
The uncertain landscape for international students in the U.S. could potentially take a severe toll on educational institutions, which rely on these students as a critical source of essential revenue. A decline in student enrollment could further harm the country's international academic reputation.
Lawyers like Rishi Oza, an immigration law expert from North Carolina, are fielding increasing calls about travel risks from individuals of diverse immigration backgrounds, including international students. The uncertainty around their status and the potential consequences of travel have left many shaken.
"It just feels out of balance that students are afraid of traveling and returning to the U.S. We shouldn't be a country where people live in fear of their legal status," Oza pointed out.
In the face of these challenges, students must carefully weigh the necessity of their travel plans against the potential risks. For advisors and lawyers, the challenge lies in providing accurate and reassuring guidance amidst the shifting landscape of U.S. immigration policies.
(Sources: Seminera, The Associated Press)
More to Read
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Revoked Visas Cause Furor Among International Students and Universities
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- Concerns about the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration have led California universities like UC Berkeley to issue advisories cautioning against international travel due to increased scrutiny and enforcement.
- The unpredictable nature of the current U.S. immigration policies has made it challenging for international students in Los Angeles, including those at UCLA, to decide whether to travel for education-and-self-development purposes, fearing their legal status might be revoked.
- The growing political tensions surrounding immigration and crime have cast a shadow over the general news, making headlines in the crime-and-justice category, with thousands of students across the U.S. facing revoked visas or terminated legal status.
- The law has become a contentious issue in the California political landscape, with many critics arguing that the government's aggressive stance on immigration is causing unnecessary fear and anxiety among international students, potentially harming the education system and the country's international academic reputation.
- As the number of visa revocations and terminations continues to rise, immigration law experts like Rishi Oza in North Carolina are advising individuals, including international students, to think carefully about their travel plans and be aware of the potential risks before deciding to travel, especially during this period of uncertainty surrounding the U.S. immigration policies.
