Why Foreign Students Are Rethinking U.S. University Enrollment Amid Visa Restrictions

After President Trump’s administration revoked hundreds of student visas, international students are having second thoughts about studying in the U.S.

In recent weeks, Trump has taken a tough stance on higher education, accusing elite universities like Columbia and Harvard of harboring anti-Semitic sentiments during pro-Palestinian protests. This backlash follows the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

More than 130 international students have filed a federal lawsuit against the administration. They claim their visas were unlawfully canceled, putting their legal status at risk.

Some students are opting out altogether. Tariq Kandil, a 21-year-old from Germany, chose to skip a six-month exchange at the University of California, Davis. He feared government scrutiny for his social media posts criticizing Trump and discussing Palestine. “I didn’t want to censor myself to enter the country,” he explained. “The U.S. should be about free speech.”

Kandil worried that his name could draw unwanted attention. “Tariq Kandil isn’t exactly a common name in Europe,” he noted.

Despite the growing unease, a record 1.1 million international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities for the 2023/24 academic year, according to the U.S. State Department and the Institute of International Education.

However, Trump is now aggressively cracking down on protests linked to the conflict in Gaza. He’s threatened to cut off federal funds to schools where protests occur and directed immigration officials to deport demonstrators, even those with green cards.

Rania Kettani, a Moroccan student who protested while attending New York University in 2023, expressed her disbelief at the current climate. “It’s shocking to think that what I did could lead to deportation,” she said. Originally planning to apply for a master’s program in the U.S., she has reconsidered: “I don’t want to study in fear.”

Naveen, a 26-year-old applying for a U.S. visa, has been gathering advice from online forums about being an international student. He finds the atmosphere “a bit hostile” but believes visa revocations mainly affect students engaging in illegal activities. “I remain hopeful that things will improve in a year or two,” he said, envisioning a brighter future in America.

A recent survey by the Institute of International Education indicates that 70% of international students value the U.S. experience for its academic quality. Yet, the current political climate has sown uncertainty. Many students across social media platforms share their anxieties about potential deportation and visa issues, creating a sense of community amid fear.

As this situation unfolds, international students continue to navigate their paths to education in the U.S., balancing their aspirations against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape.

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