Universities across the United States are continuing to urge international students to avoid traveling abroad this summer, even as the Trump administration announced Friday that it would reinstate the legal status of those whose visas and immigration records had previously been terminated.
Shortly after the announcement, the University of California, Berkeley, emphasized once again that international students face significant risks if they travel overseas, citing the fast-changing nature of immigration policies. “Due to the increased risks involved in re-entering into the United States, we are advising members of the Duke international community to avoid international travel unless essential,” Duke University stated in a recent memo to students and faculty. The university also reminded students that “a valid visa does not guarantee entry to the U.S.”
Concerns have been growing at universities nationwide over the possibility that international students might not be permitted to return to the U.S. if they travel abroad. Despite the Trump administration’s move to restore the legal standing of affected students, immigration experts caution that these changes do not eliminate the dangers associated with international travel.
Jeff Joseph, who is set to become the next president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, stressed that students must remain extremely careful. “Traveling outside of the country can be risky,” Joseph warned, noting that consulting with a lawyer is highly advisable before making any travel plans. He added, “The fact is the Department of State has unilateral authority to revoke visas for any or no reason.”
It remains unclear how many universities have formally advised students against leaving the U.S., but at least five institutions, including UC Berkeley and Duke University, have issued notices this month. These universities have urged their international communities to weigh the potential consequences carefully before deciding to travel.
A recent college graduate from China, now residing in Washington, D.C., shared his own experience and concerns. He explained that he had serious doubts about visiting his home country in December, knowing that then-President-elect Donald Trump had vowed to significantly reduce immigration. “I was worried that I wouldn’t even be allowed back in this country, even though I’m perfectly authorized to work and live here,” said the graduate, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear that speaking publicly could lead to deportation or revocation of his visa.
Faced with this uncertainty, he made the decision to return to the United States before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. His experience highlights the stress and difficult decisions facing many international students, particularly during a period of rapid policy shifts and growing immigration enforcement.
Fanta Aw, the CEO of the Association of International Educators, acknowledged the emotional and practical challenges that international students encounter when deciding whether to visit family members they have not seen in years. “You have to understand what students are going through, and they may want to go home,” Aw said.
In recent weeks, thousands of international students across the country have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration. Officials have justified these actions as necessary to protect American citizens from individuals who might engage in terrorist activities, pose national security threats, or promote extremist ideologies.
However, the administration announced Friday that students would have their legal status reinstated while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) develops a new “framework” for revoking immigration records in the future. This partial reversal comes after widespread concern and confusion among students, universities, and immigration advocates.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed last month that the State Department had revoked more than 300 student visas. He described these actions as part of an intensified effort by the White House to crack down on foreign-born students, particularly those accused of political activism.
Yet, many international students who found themselves targeted by these policies insisted that they had not taken part in political demonstrations, including protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, nor had they engaged in other activities that could be considered controversial. Despite these students’ peaceful records, their legal status had still come under threat, adding to a climate of fear and uncertainty.
Jeff Joseph emphasized that, under current conditions, it is safer for international students to remain in the United States rather than risk leaving and trying to re-enter. “Stay here, no question,” Joseph advised. He explained that if students travel abroad and find themselves barred from returning, their only option would be to approach the Department of State and attempt to secure a new visa. “But when you’re outside the country, you don’t have the same protections of the courts that you do when inside the country,” he said.
Given the unpredictability of immigration enforcement, universities and immigration attorneys continue to urge extreme caution. The situation leaves many international students grappling with difficult personal choices. While some long to reunite with family members they have not seen for several years, they must also weigh the real risk of being unable to complete their studies or continue living in the U.S.
Although the Trump administration’s announcement offers some relief by promising to reinstate legal status for students who were unfairly penalized, it has not eliminated the underlying uncertainty surrounding immigration policies. The Department of State’s broad authority to revoke visas without detailed justification remains a major concern.
University administrators have reiterated that they will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates to their international communities. However, they have made it clear that students should remain prepared for sudden changes and continue to exercise extreme caution when considering international travel.
The recent experiences of students like the Washington, D.C.-based graduate illustrate how fraught and emotional these decisions have become. Even students who are fully authorized to live, work, and study in the United States face the fear that bureaucratic changes or sudden policy shifts could abruptly upend their lives.
Ultimately, while Friday’s announcement may provide temporary reassurance to some, the broader uncertainty surrounding immigration policy is unlikely to disappear soon. As a result, universities, immigration attorneys, and advocacy groups will likely continue urging international students to stay in the United States unless travel is absolutely essential.