Foreign students in US drop travel plans to avoid deportation risks

Since late March, at least 1,220 students at 187 colleges and universities have had their visas revoked or legal status terminated, according to an Associated Press review of court filings, school statements, and university correspondence. The number could be significantly higher—an April 10 response from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Congress reported that 4,736 international students had their visa records terminated in the federal database used to track legal status.

Colleges have responded by warning students to avoid non-essential travel, particularly overseas. The University of California, Berkeley, recently issued an advisory urging caution due to “strict vetting and enforcement.” Other institutions had already been encouraging students and faculty to delay trips amid concerns that immigration authorities were targeting those involved in pro-Palestinian activism.

Under newly issued federal guidance, valid reasons for terminating a student’s status now include revocation of the visa used to enter the US—a shift from previous practice, which allowed students to remain in the country and continue studying even if their visa was no longer valid for reentry.

The policy change follows a wave of sudden removals from legal status, prompting some students to leave the US voluntarily, while others went into hiding. In many cases, students were unaware of any infractions or said the violations cited were minor.

After several courts raised due process concerns, the federal government reversed some terminations. However, the new policy has expanded the conditions under which students can be deemed out of status, compounding fear and confusion on campuses nationwide.

A staff member at a Michigan college, who advises international students and requested anonymity, told the AP he has seen a sharp increase in students asking about the risks of summer travel. International students make up a significant portion of the US higher education system, with roughly 1.1 million enrolled last year.

One student at the University of California, San Diego, said they had planned a trip to Hawaii but ultimately canceled it. “I probably am going to skip that to ... have as few interactions with governments as possible,” said the student, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity out of fear of being targeted.