Universities across the U.S. are continuing to caution international students against traveling abroad this summer.
This comes after the Trump administration announced that it would restore the legal status of international students whose visas and immigration records had been revoked.
The University of California, Berkeley, reiterated hours after the announcement that overseas travel for international students remains risky due to the potential for rapid changes in immigration policies.
Many universities nationwide have been warning students that they may not be allowed to return to the U.S. if they travel abroad.
“Duke University has advised its international community to avoid international travel unless it’s essential,” the university stated in a memo to students and faculty. “A valid visa does not guarantee entry to the U.S.” This policy aligns with the growing concerns about the unpredictability of visa regulations.
The change in the administration’s policy came after thousands of international students had their visas revoked, with their immigration status and records terminated.
While the recent policy reversal is seen as a step forward, immigration experts caution international students to weigh their travel decisions carefully.
“Traveling outside the country can be risky,” said Jeff Joseph, president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “International students should consult with an immigration lawyer, as the Department of State has the authority to revoke visas without any reason.”
It’s unclear exactly how many universities have issued travel warnings, but at least five campuses, including Duke University and UC Berkeley, have sent notices to their international communities this month.
One recent graduate from China, living in Washington D.C., shared his experience of hesitating to travel back home after Donald Trump’s election.
“I was worried about not being allowed back into the U.S., even though I had the right to work and live here,” said the graduate, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of being targeted for deportation.
Fanta Aw, CEO of the Association of International Educators, acknowledged the stress many international students are under, as some have not seen their families in two or three years. She added that these students must make their own decisions about whether to visit their families or stay in the U.S.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has revoked the visas of thousands of international students, citing the need to protect U.S. citizens from threats like terrorism and extremist ideology.
However, many of these students have denied involvement in protests or political speech that might justify visa revocation.
The administration’s announcement on Friday stated that international students’ visas would be restored, while ICE works on a framework for revoking immigration records. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed last month that the State Department had already revoked over 300 student visas.
Immigration experts, like Joseph, continue to advise international students to stay in the U.S., warning that leaving could lead to a complicated process for re-entry.
Once outside the country, students lose some of the legal protections that they have when they are inside the U.S.
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