International students reconsider US education as immigration fears rise under Trump
Students at the Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
International students in the US are increasingly reconsidering their academic plans due to fears of surveillance, travel restrictions, and the threat of deportation, AP News reports.
Following the pandemic, US universities began slowly recovering thanks to international students, who contribute billions of dollars to the education system.
However, with Donald Trump’s return to the White House, this positive trend is now at risk. A new wave of immigration restrictions, cuts to research funding, and mounting pressure on student activism are already taking their toll.
"I used to openly support LGBTQ+ causes and wasn’t afraid to speak out. Now, I’m scared to even be near a protest," said a South Asian Ph.D. student at the University of Rochester. She canceled her planned summer trip home, fearing she might not be allowed back into the country.
Against this backdrop, more international students are choosing to keep a low profile - limiting their social media presence, avoiding political topics, and steering clear of public demonstrations. Universities are trying to maintain student trust, but the overall climate gives the impression that international students are at constant risk.
Declining interest and fear of deportation
According to Clay Harmon, director of AIRC, an organization that helps recruit international students, even without direct bans, there’s a growing sense of danger: "It’s discouraging. People feel that the US is no longer open to them."
International students now rethink studying in the US (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
During a recent trip to India - the largest source of international students in the US - recruitment agencies reported a sharp drop in interest. Some students have already deferred their admission until 2025 or shifted their focus to European countries.
Some universities are responding by publishing updated guidance, like Northeastern, or suspending international programs, as Bunker Hill Community College has done. Others, including Brown and Columbia, are openly warning students about the risks of deportation.
The fear escalated after the arrest of former Columbia University student, Mahmoud Khalil. Khalil had his green card revoked and was accused of ties to Hamas - without any formal charges.
Since then, many international students have admitted they are afraid they could be next. They avoid protests, refrain from expressing opinions online, and live in constant anxiety, fearing they could be deported at any moment.
