International Students Cancel Trips as US Cracks Down on Visas

Charlie USA 9 May 2025 | Updated On May 12, 2025 | 0

If you’re an international student in the United States (US) and planning a summer trip, whether it’s back home or just across state lines, it might be time to reconsider.

New immigration policies introduced by the Trump administration are making it much easier for international students to lose their legal status in the US, and many universities are now warning their students not to travel at all.

What’s Going On?

In late April, the US government expanded the list of reasons international students can lose their legal status. These new rules are causing a lot of confusion and concern. Even students who haven’t done anything wrong are finding their visas revoked or their legal status questioned.

Since March 2025, over 1,200 students at nearly 190 universities have had their visas cancelled or their immigration records removed from federal databases. Some were penalised for things as minor as a traffic ticket. Others had no idea why they were flagged at all.

In some cases, federal judges ruled that the government acted without following proper legal procedures. But instead of stepping back, immigration authorities are doubling down.

What’s Changed?

Under the new guidelines from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), students can now lose their status if the visa they used to enter the US is later revoked, even if they’re still studying and haven’t done anything wrong.

In the past, if your visa was cancelled while you were already in the US, you could usually stay and finish your education. That’s no longer guaranteed.

Also, if your name shows up in a criminal or fingerprint database, even by mistake or for something that didn’t lead to charges, you could lose your student status.

Why This Matters

International students rely on a delicate balance of documents to stay in the US legally: a valid visa, a school enrollment record, and status tracked by a federal system called SEVIS.

But, with stricter enforcement and unpredictable decisions from immigration officers at airports and borders, leaving the country, even for a short trip, could mean not being allowed back in.

Colleges and universities are taking these changes seriously. The University of California, Berkeley has already warned students about increased enforcement, and schools across the country are urging international students to stay in the US this summer if possible.

One college advisor in Michigan told the Associated Press that students are increasingly anxious and asking questions he can’t always answer.

If You Have to Travel…

If staying put isn’t an option, here’s what students are being told to bring when returning to the US:

Valid immigration documents (I-20 or DS-2019)
Your passport and visa (even if they’re expired)
Your school transcripts
Any court records, especially if charges were dropped or dismissed

Even with all the right documents, there’s still no guarantee you’ll be allowed to re-enter. Immigration decisions at the border are unpredictable and can vary from officer to officer.

Do you need to renew your passport? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

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