After thousands of visa losses, US colleges warn international students not to travel

Amid growing uncertainty over immigration policy enforcement, universities across the US are warning international students against nonessential travel. The advisory comes after at least 4,736 international students had their visa records terminated, creating widespread concern within academic institutions and student communities.

According to an April 10, 2025 response from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Congress, these terminations were logged in a government database that tracks international student legal status. The situation intensified after 1,220 students across 187 colleges, universities, and university systems had their legal status revoked or visas canceled since late March, as reported by the LA Times.

Students reconsider travel amid growing visa fears
The Trump administration's intensified crackdown has led international students to cancel trips, including vacations, family visits, and academic travel. One PhD student at UC San Diego, who chose to remain anonymous, told the LA Times, "I probably am going to skip that to ... have as few interactions with governments as possible." Even domestic travel to destinations like Hawaii has been deemed too risky.

Colleges had already begun advising caution. UC Berkeley issued a notice warning that upcoming international travel carried "strict vetting and enforcement" risks, according to the LA Times. The advisory followed concerns over deportations linked to pro-Palestinian activism, with several students suddenly losing legal status without clear explanation.

California campuses and others report rising terminations
California institutions have been hit particularly hard. As of late April, over 120 students in the state had lost legal status, including at least 20 at UCLA and several across University of California and California State University campuses, as reported by the LA Times. Still, the LA Times notes that the number of affected students may be significantly higher nationwide.

The fast-moving developments have left schools and immigration advisors scrambling. A Michigan college employee working with international students, who spoke anonymously, said they are fielding more travel-related questions than ever. The employee admitted to the LA Times that they often lack clear answers due to evolving federal guidelines.

New guidance expands reasons for visa revocation
Previously, students could remain in the US even if their visa was revoked, as long as they did not leave the country. However, under the new rules, visa revocation alone is now grounds for losing legal status, increasing the risk of deportation for students who travel abroad. The LA Times reports that after some federal judges raised due process concerns, the government reversed certain terminations—only to later introduce broader justifications for revocation.

Legal uncertainty adds to stress for students and advisors
Many students, some with only minor infractions, are unsure why their status was removed. Some have gone into hiding or left the country voluntarily, according to the LA Times. Rishi Oza, an immigration lawyer in North Carolina, told the LA Times his office now receives daily calls from international students worried about leaving and reentering the country.

"You kind of shake your head and say, 'Is this the character of the country we want?'" said Oza. He emphasized the unpredictability of reentry, warning students to carry all relevant documents—immigration records, school transcripts, even court documents for dismissed charges.

One student from the University of Illinois expressed panic about returning to the US after buying a ticket home to Asia. "Right now," the student told the LA Times, "I'm afraid I might not be able to come back."