Political Turmoil and Visa Scrutiny: Texas Students Feel the Impact of Shifting Immigration Policies

Legal Status of 250+ International Students Revoked, Sparking Widespread Fear on Texas Campuses

The recent revocation of legal status and visas for more than 250 international students by the Trump administration has sent shockwaves across Texas college campuses, thereby creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. Not only has the abrupt decision directly impacted those targeted, but it has also triggered widespread anxiety among other international students, many of whom now fear increased scrutiny under an administration widely known for expanding deportation efforts.

As a result of this unexpected policy shift, students have reportedly taken drastic precautionary measures to protect themselves—such as cancelling summer travel plans, avoiding going out alone, and removing social media accounts—due to growing concerns for their safety and legal status. Consequently, this development has underscored the mounting challenges faced by international students and raised urgent questions about the direction of U.S. immigration policy within the realm of higher education. Initially, the Trump administration claimed its reclassification efforts targeted international students involved in pro-Palestinian protests or those accused of serious crimes. However, legal challenges subsequently revealed that many of the affected students had neither participated in demonstrations nor committed serious offences—some had only minor infractions, such as traffic violations.

Although federal authorities later reinstated the legal status of many students, they simultaneously announced intentions to implement a new policy governing future revocations. Thus, the sudden visa cancellations, coupled with an opaque decision-making process and shifting policies, have contributed to growing confusion and anxiety among international student communities. A University of Houston doctoral student from South Asia, speaking anonymously, shared that the increasingly hostile environment had created significant fear and anxiety, thereby making it difficult for students to concentrate on their education. Moreover, he was one of four students who chose to remain anonymous, as they feared that speaking publicly—even with legal status—could lead to removal from the country. In light of this, immigration attorneys are advising students to maintain a low profile, while higher education experts warn that the ongoing turmoil could jeopardise efforts to attract and retain international students, who play a crucial role in both the economy and university research.

Furthermore, according to Open Doors, Texas universities enrolled over 89,000 international students last year—ranking third in the United States—with a majority coming from India or China to pursue STEM studies. In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the administration had the authority to revoke the visas of students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, stressing the need for caution and the prevention of activist entry into the U.S. He later clarified that support for, or promotion of, terrorist groups such as Hamas would also constitute grounds for visa revocation.

Meanwhile, immigration attorneys contended that these abrupt visa cancellations violated students’ due process rights and reflected the Trump administration’s broader tendency to act on unproven allegations. Kristin Etter of the Texas Immigration Law Council likened the administration’s approach to wielding a "big sledgehammer," which, she argued, had led to numerous errors. One of the most high-profile incidents involved the detention of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University student, by ICE agents after she publicly criticised the university’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests. The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated online, drew national attention, and she remains in detention.

In response, some University of Houston students reported heightened fear, with many choosing not to go out alone in case they were unexpectedly detained for unknowingly violating a law. One student explained that the fear among international students is genuine, particularly after viewing videos of similar detentions, which made them feel as though they could be targeted next. As a precaution, he cancelled his summer travel plans to avoid the risk of being denied reentry into the U.S. Similarly, an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Arlington—who had not seen his family since 2023—decided to postpone his visit home until after graduation, as he believed that a U.S. degree would still offer better job prospects. Although he initially chose Texas for its conservative reputation and presumed respect for privacy and free expression, he now advises fellow international students to be cautious about what they say.

A University of Texas at Arlington student advised international students to avoid political matters, emphasising their focus on education. He chose not to join the Muslim Student Association, fearing it might associate him with pro-Palestinian protests, despite not participating. Though not very religious, he accepted his decision, prioritising education. A Taiwanese doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin, who had peacefully participated in pro-Palestinian protests, expressed a personal connection to the cause due to Taiwan's own territorial tensions with China. Consequently, he plans to return home in July to complete his Ph.D., stating that he prefers studying in Taiwan, where police are not permitted on university campuses. He further remarked that the United States no longer feels like a truly free country, but rather one marked by increased threats and disorder.

In a related development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in April that it would begin screening international students’ social media for antisemitic content as grounds for visa revocation. According to DHS officials, First Amendment protections would not apply in such cases. DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin defended the measure by asserting that the U.S. is under no obligation to admit or retain individuals who sympathise with terrorist organisations.

Following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, widespread campus protests erupted across the United States, with students criticising Israel’s response and urging universities to divest from companies that supply weapons to Israel. In response, the Trump administration argued that such protests were fuelling a rise in antisemitism and accused universities of failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination and threats. Consequently, it established a multi-agency task force to investigate institutions with major protest activity. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the task force aimed to address campus disruptions and uphold Jewish students’ civil rights and access to education, specifically citing an investigation launched at the University of Washington.

However, the Diaspora Alliance, an organisation that combats antisemitism and its misuse, criticised the administration's approach, arguing that it used criticism of Israel as a pretext to suppress student activism. The group warned that such tactics not only overlooked far-right antisemitism but could also harm Jewish communities in the long run. As a result of the administration’s intensified scrutiny, immigration attorneys began advising international students to delete or censor their social media accounts to avoid misinterpretation. Reflecting the growing concern, the Texas Immigration Law Council hosted a “know-your-rights” webinar, which quickly attracted 500 anxious international students. The most frequently asked question during the session was whether a visa could be revoked even if a student had done nothing wrong, to which the answer was an unequivocal “yes.”

Attorney Faye Kolly further highlighted the precarious position of international students, noting that their constitutional rights could ironically place them at greater risk. She underscored the urgent need to safeguard these students from unwarranted government scrutiny. Additionally, the American Immigration Lawyers Association explained that while visa revocations are legally permissible, they have traditionally been reserved for extreme situations. Nevertheless, attorneys emphasised that international students possess only limited due process protections—often not being informed of the specific reasons for revocation or allowed to respond.

Lastly, recent lawsuits have begun to challenge the government’s failure to adhere to its own rules regarding status revocation, signalling a growing pushback against these controversial enforcement actions. Visa revocations are only subject to judicial review if deportation proceedings are initiated; at that stage, students are allowed to contest the evidence but must do so at their own expense. A University of Houston student highlighted the intensity of the U.S. visa application process, which required disclosing all social media accounts. Meanwhile, data from NAFSA revealed that international students contributed $2.5 billion to Texas's economy and supported more than 22,000 jobs in the previous year.

Furthermore, experts such as Sarah Speitzer from the American Council on Education have warned that political instability is discouraging prospective international students, thereby reducing the global competitiveness of U.S. universities in comparison to countries like Canada, the U.K., Australia, China, and France. This concern is particularly acute as U.S. institutions already face growing financial pressures—exacerbated by the Trump administration’s move to limit the use of federal grant funds for biomedical research overhead, and by state-level restrictions on tuition increases and diversity-related programmes. According to Speitzer, the potential decline in international enrolment could significantly damage university finances.

Moreover, several major Texas institutions—including the University of Houston, Texas A&M, and UT-Austin—either declined to comment or failed to respond when asked how they were supporting international students during this period. Only the University of North Texas noted that faculty may allow affected students to submit assignments or take exams online. At the same time, Ravi Prakash, a former international student and current professor at UT-Dallas, emphasised the vital role played by international students, most of whom are graduate students paying elevated out-of-state tuition. He noted that they are often integral to research efforts, citing their contribution to his work on improving wireless internet access.

Additionally, a South American student at Texas A&M, who had saved $30,000 to study there, shared that many international engineering students fear they will lose access to Optional Practical Training (OPT) opportunities, which are crucial for repaying their educational loans. Prakash confirmed that international graduates heavily depend on these positions. In light of current uncertainties, the A&M student said many peers have ceased discussing political matters to safeguard their educational futures. Finally, a University of Houston student, disillusioned by the diminishing academic freedom, remarked that the administration's recent actions had shattered his belief in the U.S. as a politically neutral research environment—leading him to advise prospective students against coming to the United States.

Thus, although the Trump administration justifies its actions on grounds of national security and public order, the resulting atmosphere of fear, policy inconsistency, and erosion of academic freedom has left international students deeply unsettled, undermining the very principles that once made the U.S. a leading destination for global education.

Editor’s Note:

The decision taken by the Trump administration highlights the deeply personal and systemic consequences of recent immigration enforcement policies on international students studying in Texas. The firsthand accounts from students across multiple universities illustrate a climate of fear, confusion, and silence that has emerged in the wake of abrupt visa revocations and shifting federal directives. These developments not only threaten the academic and personal stability of thousands of students but also raise serious concerns about the erosion of academic freedom and due process protections in American higher education. As universities continue to rely on the contributions of international students—financially, intellectually, and culturally—the lack of institutional transparency and proactive support is troubling. Moreover, the policies described here reflect broader national debates over protest rights, national security, and the boundaries of lawful dissent. The Trump administration’s justification of these actions on the grounds of national interest must be weighed against their disproportionate human and academic toll. 

Skoobuzz firmly believes that when international students feel compelled to withdraw from student groups, censor their opinions, or even forgo participation in peaceful protest for fear of deportation, the foundational values of the U.S. university system—open inquiry, diversity of thought, and freedom of expression—are placed at risk.