Trump's travel ban ruins international students' college hopes

A Dream Shattered by Policy

Bahara Saghari, a 21-year-old from Afghanistan, had spent years preparing for higher education in the United States. She practiced English for up to eight hours a day and was accepted into a business administration program at a private liberal arts college in Illinois. However, her dreams were abruptly halted when Donald Trump’s travel ban disrupted her plans.

“I thought I was finally going to my dream, and then something came up and everything just went away,” she said, reflecting on the sudden setback.

Her story is not unique. Thousands of students from countries affected by the travel ban have faced similar challenges. Many had invested significant time and money into their aspirations, only to find themselves stranded due to visa restrictions and policy changes.

The Impact of the Travel Ban

The Trump administration implemented a series of restrictions that significantly impacted international students. Visa processing slowed down, leading to delays and backlogs. Some students who had already secured admission offers were unable to start their studies this autumn. Others decided to abandon their plans altogether, discouraged by the broader immigration crackdown and the abrupt termination of some students’ legal status.

Students from the 19 countries affected by the travel ban faced the most severe obstacles. The State Department issued over 5,700 F-1 and J-1 visas to individuals from these countries between May and September last year. Citizens of Iran and Myanmar received more than half of these approved visas.

Pursuing Education Despite Obstacles

Pouya Karami, a 17-year-old student from Shiraz, Iran, had focused his entire college search on the United States. He believed no other country offered the same research opportunities in science. However, the travel ban forced him to delay his plans to study polymer chemistry at Pittsburg State University in Kansas.

Karami has deferred his admission and continues to prepare for his embassy interview while reaching out to US politicians to reconsider the restrictions. “I’m doing everything I can about it,” he said.

The full travel ban affects citizens from 12 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. It blocks most people from obtaining new visas, though some are exempt, such as green card holders and dual citizens. Seven other countries have tighter restrictions that also apply to student visas.

Hopes and Heartbreaks

In Myanmar, one student’s family saved their paychecks to support his education abroad. When he received an acceptance letter from the University of South Florida, the family celebrated with joy. However, news of the travel ban shattered his hopes. He was unable to defer his acceptance and now faces an uncertain future.

Many students in Myanmar have been drafted into the military or joined resistance groups since the military takeover in 2021. For this student, the US represented a chance for simple freedoms like walking to school alone or playing sports again.

Looking Elsewhere for Opportunities

Saghari, the Afghan student, postponed her visa interview in Pakistan but eventually canceled it. Knox College denied her request to defer her admission. She later applied to schools in Europe but encountered new challenges, including needing to retake an English proficiency test.

She has been accepted to a Polish university, but the process requires upfront tuition payments and validation of her high school degree. Meanwhile, Amir, a 28-year-old Iranian graduate, missed an opportunity to conduct research at the University of Pennsylvania. He now works as a researcher in Tehran, struggling to focus on his work.

Amir has explored research opportunities in Europe, which would require more time and learning a new language. While he still prefers the US, he feels pessimistic about the country’s foreign policy. “You lose this idealistic view of the world,” he said. “And then you learn that maybe people don’t want you there.”

A Changing Landscape

For many students, the US was once seen as a place where hard work and talent could lead to success. However, the travel ban and related policies have changed that perception. As they seek alternatives, the emotional toll of these decisions is evident. The journey for these students is far from over, but their resilience and determination continue to shine through.