Universities Warn International Students, Faculty of Travel Risks Amidst Increased Immigration Concerns
As spring break approaches, a wave of anxiety is sweeping through university campuses across the United States, particularly among international students and faculty. A series of recent immigration actions by the Trump administration have left many feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their future within U.S. borders. Concerns over visa cancellations, potential deportation, and the right to travel freely are escalating, prompting universities to issue warnings and guidance to their international communities.
The unease stems from several incidents that have occurred in recent weeks. A physician at Brown University, returning from her home country of Lebanon, had her visa unexpectedly canceled upon arrival. Similarly, an Indian Ph.D. student at Columbia University reportedly self-deported to Canada after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at her apartment. These events, coupled with the broader context of the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policies, have created a climate of fear and uncertainty.
In response to these developments, universities have taken proactive steps to protect their international populations. Brown University sent a campus-wide email advising faculty, students, and staff holding visas or permanent residency status to postpone any non-essential international travel during the spring break period. Columbia University and Cornell University followed suit, issuing similar guidance on their websites. These advisories highlight the potential risks associated with international travel, including the possibility of visa revocation and difficulties re-entering the United States.
Russell C. Carey, executive vice president for planning and policy and interim vice president for campus life at Brown, acknowledged the anxiety within the university community. "We understand that many in our community are feeling a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety as news media share reports of federal deportation actions against individuals who are non-U.S. citizens," Carey stated in the email.
The universities’ warnings are rooted in the increasing number of students who have recently had their visa status revoked. President Trump’s executive order on national security and public safety threats has led to a surge in deportations. Furthermore, there is the looming prospect of a travel ban targeting citizens from 41 countries, including Iran, Syria, Cuba, and Afghanistan. The universities emphasize that potential changes in travel restrictions, visa procedures, re-entry requirements, and other travel-related delays could significantly impact travelers’ ability to return to the U.S. as planned.
The concerns extend beyond international travel, with some questioning the safety of even domestic travel for non-citizens. The heightened scrutiny has created a palpable sense of fear among the over 1.12 million international students currently studying in the United States. They worry about being targeted based on their nationality, losing their visas, forfeiting their degrees, and being deprived of the fundamental right to travel freely, whether to visit family or attend school-related events.
A 21-year-old masters student of journalism at Columbia University, who requested anonymity due to fear of retribution, described the profound impact of the current situation on their life. "It’s 100% affecting almost every aspect of my life right now, honestly, and that’s not coming from a dramatic place – there are real consequences," the student told USA TODAY. The student had planned to visit their family in India after graduation but has now advised them not to book their ticket. Forced to remain in the U.S., the student is desperately seeking housing and employment to avoid being removed from their student residence.
The U.S. State Department is currently conducting a comprehensive review of all visa programs to ensure that foreign nationals do not pose a threat to national security. However, concerns have arisen about students being targeted for expressing their political views or participating in campus protests.
Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral candidate at Columbia, self-deported to Canada after her F-1 student visa was revoked. Her social media activity, including posts about human rights violations in the Israel-Hamas War and signing an open letter on liberation, were cited as reasons for the revocation. The Department of Homeland Security alleged that she "was involved in activities supporting Hamas, a terrorist organization."
Similarly, Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese physician at Brown University, was questioned and deported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival at Boston Logan International Airport. Her U.S. visa was canceled due to potential ties to Hezbollah figures, resulting in a five-year ban from the U.S.
Elora Mukherjee, a clinical professor of law at Columbia Law School specializing in immigration rights, described these actions as "unprecedented in U.S. history." She argued that targeting a permanent resident based on their speech violates the First Amendment right of freedom of expression.
Mukherjee emphasized that the executive branch is testing the limits of its power, potentially disregarding the system of checks and balances established by the U.S. Constitution. She reported a surge in international students seeking guidance from her clinic, many of whom are "really scared right now of being targeted." Mukherjee advises students to assess their risk factors, including their country of origin, political views, and social media activity, to make informed decisions about travel and visa status.
Universities are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Cornell University cautioned that "the list of affected countries may change, and additional restrictions could be implemented with little notice."
The Columbia journalism student, drawing parallels between their situation and that of Ranjani Srinivasan, has privatized their social media profiles and is anxiously awaiting the outcome of their Optional Practical Training work authorization application. They expressed a deep sense of vulnerability, stating, "I left everything behind for this, but this country could not provide me with basic humanity at this point." The student concluded, "It’s my right to protest, it’s my right to speak up, it’s my right to move around as a human being to travel to move around to meet your family, and that should be an inherent right."
