International students in the United States are grappling with uncertainty due to President Donald Trump’s shifting visa policies. At the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), students like Denis Lomov, a 26-year-old PhD student from Russia, are concerned about their future in the country. “The overall mood across the room [among international students] is that people are looking for other options,” Lomov said. With nearly 15% of UCSB students hailing from outside the US, the Trump administration’s actions have left many wondering about their prospects.
The administration has revoked student visas, slashed funding for science and research programs, arrested and tried to deport foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestine campus activism, and suspended student visa appointments. Lomov expressed his concerns, saying, “It makes you wonder if maybe you’d rather go somewhere else… I think it’s the unpredictability of these policies that makes me fear about the future, both with me being a student, but also after I graduate.” Some students are considering alternatives in countries like Canada or Europe, where their skills might be more valued.
The Trump administration’s actions against universities and foreign students have yielded mixed results in the courts. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from Columbia University over the government’s cuts to the university’s federal funding, citing allegations of inadequate steps to curb pro-Palestine activism. In contrast, another judge extended a restraining order pausing Trump’s efforts to block incoming international students from attending Harvard.
The stress of keeping up with shifting developments has led to concerns that the US is becoming increasingly hostile to foreign students. Trump has questioned the presence of international students, saying, “Harvard has to show us their lists [of foreign students]. They have foreign students, almost 31 percent of their students. We want to know where those students come from. Are they troublemakers? What countries do they come from?” This rhetoric has contributed to a perception that the US is no longer a welcoming destination for international students and researchers.
Jeffrey Rosario, an assistant professor at Loma Linda University, noted, “They’re arguing that they don’t need international students, that this is talent they should be cultivating here at home.” This perspective aligns with Trump’s inward-looking approach to policy, which views international exchange as a drain on the US rather than a source of mutual benefit.
Under Trump’s administration, potential policy changes could further impact international students. Proposed restrictions on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and changes to visa policies might limit opportunities for students to work in the US after graduation. Trump has also indicated support for granting green cards to foreign college graduates, which could attract top global talent but faces skepticism due to his previous restrictive immigration policies.
As Carola Smith, an administrator at Santa Barbara City College, observed, “There have been frequent changes and a lot of these policies have been implemented very quickly and without a lot of advanced notice.” This uncertainty has made it challenging for students and universities to navigate the changing landscape.