International students in the US skip travel amid visa crackdown

Apnews - May 4th, 2025
Open on Apnews

International students across the United States are facing heightened risks regarding their legal status due to the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement. This has led to students reconsidering travel plans, whether for vacations or visiting family, due to the fear of losing their legal status or facing deportation. The University of California, San Diego, among others, has advised students to avoid non-essential travel. Many students have had their visas revoked or legal status terminated with little explanation, leading some to go into hiding or leave the country. This situation has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among international students, with schools struggling to provide adequate guidance and support.

The broader implications of this crackdown include potential declines in international student enrollment, which is a significant source of revenue for many U.S. colleges and universities. The unpredictability of visa status and potential deportation makes the U.S. less appealing to potential international students, impacting the diversity and financial health of educational institutions. Legal experts and immigration advocates express concern over these developments, questioning the long-term impact on America's educational and cultural landscape. As the situation evolves, the affected students and institutions are left in a state of anxiety and uncertainty, grappling with the new policies and their consequences.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and timely exploration of the challenges faced by international students in the U.S. due to recent immigration policy changes. It successfully highlights the fears and potential impacts on students, universities, and the broader educational landscape. The article is well-structured and clear, making it accessible to a wide audience.

While the article's accuracy and source quality are strong, it could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives, including those of policymakers and government officials. Additionally, incorporating more interactive elements and detailed explanations could enhance engagement and readability. Overall, the article effectively addresses a controversial and relevant issue, with the potential to influence public opinion and policy discussions.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately reports the concerns and actions of international students in the U.S. regarding travel amidst policy changes. The claim that students are avoiding travel due to fear of losing legal status aligns with reports from various sources about increased scrutiny and policy changes under the Trump administration. The story accurately cites the number of students affected by visa revocations and legal status terminations, referencing an Associated Press review and government database figures.

However, the article could improve by providing more specific data on the number of students affected by pro-Palestinian activism allegations, as this claim lacks direct evidence in the story. Additionally, while the story mentions the reversal of terminations following court challenges, it would benefit from more detailed examples or case studies to support this claim. Despite these minor gaps, the article maintains a high level of accuracy in its core reporting.

7
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of international students and their advocates, highlighting their fears and the potential negative impacts of U.S. immigration policy changes. While it effectively communicates the students' concerns, it lacks a balanced representation of other viewpoints, such as those of government officials or policymakers responsible for the visa policies.

Including perspectives from government sources or policy experts could have provided a more comprehensive view of the reasons behind the policy changes and their intended effects. The article could also explore potential benefits of stricter immigration enforcement, if any, to provide a more balanced narrative. Overall, while the article effectively captures the students' experiences, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives to achieve greater balance.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the main issues facing international students regarding travel and legal status. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a general audience. The use of direct quotes from students and experts adds to the clarity and engagement of the story.

The article could improve by providing more context for some of the legal and policy terms used, such as 'SEVIS terminations' and 'strict vetting and enforcement,' to ensure all readers fully understand the implications. Despite these minor areas for improvement, the article's clarity is strong, with a logical flow and effective presentation of information.

8
Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including university statements, court records, and an Associated Press review, to substantiate its claims. The use of data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and quotes from immigration lawyers adds authority to the reporting. The story also incorporates firsthand accounts from international students, enhancing its credibility.

However, the article could improve by including more direct quotes or statements from government officials or ICE representatives to provide a fuller picture of the situation. Additionally, while the anonymity of some sources is justified by their fear of being targeted, the article could clarify the criteria for granting anonymity to maintain transparency in sourcing. Overall, the source quality is strong, with room for slight improvement in diversity and attribution.

7
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the situation faced by international students and the legal and policy changes affecting them. It discloses the sources of its information, including university statements and court records, which adds to its transparency.

However, the article could be more transparent about the methodology used to gather data, such as the criteria for selecting the universities included in the Associated Press review. Additionally, while it mentions the financial support for AP's education coverage, it could provide more details on how this support might influence the reporting. Overall, the article maintains a reasonable level of transparency, with opportunities for further clarity in data collection and potential conflicts of interest.

Sources

  1. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/25/trump-admin-reverses-termination-foreign-student-visa-registrations-00309407
  2. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/global/international-students-us/2025/05/02/new-ice-policy-puts-international-students-greater
  3. https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/national/federal-policies/international-students-scholars/
  4. https://economictimes.com/nri/latest-updates/visa-crackdown-leads-international-students-in-the-us-to-reconsider-summer-travel/articleshow/120865692.cms