Amid visa crackdown, foreign students in California and beyond reconsider summer travel

Los Angeles Times - May 5th, 2025

An international student at UC San Diego, on summer break from a PhD program, reconsidered a planned trip to Hawaii due to fears stemming from the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies. The crackdown has led to international students across the U.S. losing their legal status, prompting many to avoid travel and minimize interactions with government authorities. UC Berkeley and other schools have advised students against nonessential travel, citing risks related to strict vetting processes. Since late March, over 1,220 students at 187 U.S. institutions have had visas revoked or legal status terminated, with at least 120 incidents reported in California alone. The situation has prompted schools and legal experts to caution students about travel and reentry risks.

This development is part of a broader immigration policy shift under the Trump administration, which has sparked fear and uncertainty among international students, impacting their academic and personal lives. These changes threaten the U.S.'s appeal as a destination for international education, which brought in roughly 1.1 million students last year and is a significant revenue source for many institutions. The unpredictable enforcement and expanded reasons for status termination have put students in a difficult position, leading some to hide or leave the country voluntarily. Immigration lawyers and school advisors are inundated with inquiries, but many find it challenging to offer concrete guidance amidst the evolving rules. The situation underscores broader concerns about America's immigration policies and their impact on its global reputation.

Trump Administration Immigration Policy Uc Berkeley Visa Revocation Travel Restrictions International Students U.S. Colleges And Universities Uc San Diego

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The story effectively highlights the challenges faced by international students in the U.S. due to recent immigration policy changes. It provides a detailed and timely account, supported by credible sources, though it could benefit from more diverse perspectives to enhance balance. The article's clarity and relevance make it accessible and engaging, with potential to influence public discourse on immigration and education policy. However, greater transparency in data collection and inclusion of government viewpoints would improve the overall quality and depth of the reporting.

Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of the challenges faced by international students in the U.S. due to policy changes. It accurately reports the number of affected students, citing over 1,220 students at 187 institutions having their visas revoked, which aligns with the data presented. The article also mentions that over 4,736 visa records were terminated in government databases, a point needing verification but consistent with the broader narrative. However, the exact reasons for visa revocations and the specifics of the government policy changes could be more precisely detailed to enhance factual accuracy.

Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspectives of international students and educational institutions, emphasizing the negative impacts of U.S. immigration policy changes. While it offers a comprehensive view of the students' challenges and institutional responses, it lacks representation from government officials or policymakers who could provide a rationale for the policy changes. Including these perspectives would have provided a more balanced view of the situation.

Clarity

The language and structure of the article are clear and accessible, allowing readers to easily follow the narrative. The story is logically organized, presenting the issues faced by students, the institutional responses, and the broader implications of the policy changes. The tone remains neutral, focusing on factual reporting rather than emotional appeal, which aids comprehension.

Source quality

The story relies on credible sources such as university officials, an immigration lawyer, and an employee from a Michigan college, enhancing its reliability. However, some sources are anonymous, which, while understandable given the context, can affect the perceived credibility. The inclusion of data from the Associated Press and references to official government responses adds to the authority of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides sufficient context about the situation facing international students and the policy environment. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology used to gather data, such as how the Associated Press conducted its review of university statements and court records. Greater transparency in these areas would improve the reader's understanding of the basis for the claims.