New US travel restrictions leave international students stranded

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Posted by AI on 2025-09-14 10:01:39 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-08-17 17:05:47

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Dreams shattered, students stranded, as new travel restrictions prevent entry into the US

Freshman Yi Yang had her bags packed, passport ready, and a ticket to depart from her home in Beijing and start a new life at New York University. Then the Supreme Court announced it would uphold the Trump administration's "Travel Ban 3.0," leaving her with mixed feelings of disappointment and frustration.

Yang, 18, is one of many international students impacted by the ruling that bars entry to citizens from five Muslim-majority countries, and now she must decide whether to delay her university start by a year or more or attend another school in a different country.

The decision comes just as the college semester starts, leaving many students stranded and grappling with their futures, while those who secured visas earlier are left uncertain about what the latest developments will mean for them long-term.

"I'm just kind of like lost right now, I don't know what to do," Yang says. "I just really hope that this gets sorted out soon, because I don't want to give up my four years."

Yang is not alone in her uncertainty. A Facebook group for incoming NYU students, many of them international, has become a place for worried students to connect and share information. Some are seeking advice on whether they should travel to the US at all if they can't get a visa, while others are asking about deferrals.

One student even posted a screenshot of their conversation with an NYU advisor, who told the student it was "up to you" whether to travel in the current climate, and that if they chose to defer, "we would totally understand and support your decision."

While it's unclear how many students have been affected, colleges and universities across the country have loudly opposed the policy and some, like NYU, have begun preparing for the possibility of the ban months ago.

Dr. Rahuldeep Sarkar, a professor at the University of Utah and co-founder of the Utah Student Union, says the effects of the ban go beyond the immediate logistical challenges of obtaining a visa and entering the country, impacting the lives and careers of many students.

"This creates a huge amount of uncertainty and disruption in the lives of these students, and it completely undermines the idea of the American dream that anyone can make it here and succeed," Sarkar says.

For those who do make it in time for the first day of classes, the anxiety may continue. Some students are concerned about what the ban means for their long-term visa status and whether they'll be able to travel home without hassle or hesitation in the future.

"Many of these students have had their dreams shattered, and it's unclear when they will be able to pursue their passions and succeed in an environment that encourages them to grow," Sarkar added.

Yang, for her part, has decided to attend university in the UK, and is now hoping for a fresh start overseas.

"I don't want to risk a year of my life," she says.

"I just want to enjoy my youth, enjoy being a student, and not worry about all of this political stuff."

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