SAN DIEGO, CA — When a Ph.D. student at the University of California, San Diego, canceled a long-awaited summer trip to Hawaii, it wasn’t due to exams or finances — it was fear. Fear of being targeted. Fear of losing legal status. And above all, fear of not being allowed back into the United States. That student’s story, shared anonymously with the Associated Press, is now echoing across campuses nationwide as international students grapple with the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown.
Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year, a new wave of hardline immigration policies has sent shockwaves through academic institutions. According to data reviewed by the Associated Press, over 1,200 international students across 187 colleges and universities have already had their visas revoked or their immigration statuses terminated since late March. But internal government data suggests the number may be far higher — a staggering 4,736 visa terminations have been logged in the government’s tracking database as of April 10.
The chilling effect is palpable. At universities from California to Illinois, students are avoiding domestic travel, skipping academic conferences, and staying under the radar — all to minimize interactions with immigration officials. “Right now,” said one student at the University of Illinois, “I’m afraid I might not be able to come back.”
A Cloud Over Higher Education
At the heart of the storm is a shift in tone and policy. The Trump administration, emboldened by recent political victories, has instituted what Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as a “Catch-And-Revoke” policy — a one-strike rule for international students found violating U.S. laws or allegedly engaging in activities deemed subversive. “Visas are a privilege, not a right,” Rubio emphasized, in remarks clearly aimed at foreign students, particularly those involved in pro-Palestinian activism on campuses.
The University of California system is already sounding the alarm. Last week, UC Berkeley issued a campus-wide advisory warning international students to reconsider any travel plans, citing increased vetting and enforcement by federal authorities. The message was clear: Leaving the country now, even for legitimate reasons, could result in not being allowed back in.
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Students Go Underground
Faced with opaque rules and sudden enforcement, some international students are going into hiding or voluntarily returning to their home countries. Many report that their visas were terminated with no prior warning and, in several cases, for what they describe as minor infractions or unexplained reasons.
For those who remain, the atmosphere on campus is one of anxiety and silence. “We’re keeping our heads down,” said a graduate student at UCSD. “No protests, no risks — just trying to finish our degrees and stay out of trouble.”
University administrators are also struggling to cope. Some institutions have set up legal aid clinics, while others are lobbying the Department of Homeland Security for clarity. Still, the growing uncertainty is pushing students away from extracurricular activities, research collaborations, and academic travel — all of which are key parts of the U.S. higher education experience.
Political Undercurrents
Critics argue the crackdown isn’t just about immigration enforcement — it’s part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to reshape American academia. In recent weeks, Trump has targeted universities that support pro-Palestinian protests, question climate policy, or promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He’s even threatened to withhold federal grants from institutions that fail to fully disclose foreign funding sources.
This aggressive posture has reignited fears from Trump’s first term, when similar immigration restrictions upended thousands of lives. But this time, the rhetoric is more direct, and the consequences are more immediate.
One official in the State Department defended the policy, stating that foreign nationals who “sympathize with terrorist organizations” or “undermine American values” have no place in U.S. educational institutions. The administration specifically referenced students allegedly supporting Hamas in campus protests following the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
Looking Ahead
The current wave of visa revocations and heightened scrutiny raises urgent questions for the future of international education in the U.S. Once a top destination for global talent, America now risks losing its appeal amid rising hostility and unpredictability.
For now, students are living in limbo — hesitant to leave, unsure of their rights, and anxious about what might come next.
“I just want to finish my Ph.D. and go home with my head held high,” one student said. “But every day, that dream feels farther away.”
