Know Your Rights for International Students: Travel and Visa Concerns

While some of the most high-profile actions, such as the mass F1 visa revocations in April and the attempt to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, have been halted through court injunctions, a few policies remain active and continue to affect international students.

As of now, three key policies are still in effect:

1. Executive Order 14161, issued on January 20, 2025, which does not impose a blanket ban on international travel, but has introduced stricter vetting procedures that can result in significant delays or denials in visa processing for students from affected regions.
2. Executive Order 14188, issued on January 29, 2025, which redefined previously protected speech as discriminatory conduct, potentially exposing international students to disciplinary actions that threaten their immigration status.
3. The April 26, 2025 internal ICE directive, which outlines new grounds for terminating international students' records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The directive states that a visa revocation, specifically when issued by the U.S. Department of State and effective immediately, can be used as a basis for terminating a student's SEVIS status. Students whose SEVIS records are terminated may be considered out of status, making them subject to removal proceedings.
4. The May 28, 2025 directive restricting F1 visas for Chinese nationals, which remains in place because no legal challenge has yet been filed. This policy effectively blocks new student visas for Chinese nationals, impacting both undergraduate and graduate enrollment moving forward.

Executive Order 14161 did not ban international travel, but it mandated enhanced vetting and screening procedures for all foreign nationals seeking to enter or already present in the U.S., including international students.  This has led to increased scrutiny and delays in visa processing and renewals for international students.

While there is no large-scale travel ban targeting nationals of certain countries in this Executive Order, international students may face additional scrutiny or restrictions.

Before traveling, students should consider:

• Whether their visa allows multiple entries and its expiration date.
• Whether they have had any interactions with law enforcement, even minor encounters like a traffic violation.
• Whether they have engaged in student activism and/or participated in protests while at school.
• The risk of delays or denials at U.S. ports of entry due to increased screening.

Note: Leaving the country carries the risk of being denied re-entry. While travel may be necessary for some, this risk should be carefully considered.

Chinese nationals on student visas should be extremely cautious about international travel at this time. Under the Trump administration’s May 28 policy, not only has the U.S. halted the issuance of new F1 visas to Chinese nationals, but the government has also indicated it will “aggressively revoke” existing student visas.

This means that even students who currently hold valid F1 status are at risk. If you leave the U.S. and your visa is revoked while you are abroad, you may be unable to return. Given the blanket ban on issuing new student visas to Chinese nationals, it is highly likely that reentry would be denied.

Until this policy is challenged and potentially blocked in court, it remains fully in effect. Chinese nationals on student visas are strongly advised not to travel internationally unless absolutely necessary and only after consulting with their school’s international office and a qualified immigration attorney.

Students planning to travel outside the U.S. should:

• Consult an immigration attorney before making travel plans. And keep the attorney’s name / number written down to have with you.
• Check with the Designated School Official (DSO) or International Student & Scholars Office (ISSO) for university-specific requirements
• Ensure that their visa and I-20 or DS-2019 forms are valid and signed for travel.
• Gather supporting documents, including proof of enrollment, financial stability, and ties to the U.S.
• Monitor official government updates from the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Department of State.

Yes, it is likely that international students will experience:

• Extended Questioning: Officers may ask more in-depth questions about your studies, travel history, and personal background.
• Secondary Inspection: You may be taken to a separate area for further questioning and document verification.
• Electronic Device Searches: In some cases, officers may request access to phones, laptops, or social media accounts.
• Longer Processing Times: Expect delays at the port of entry, especially if additional background checks are required.
• Possible Visa Review: Officers may scrutinize visa validity, travel patterns, and compliance with student visa conditions.

Executive Order 14161 does not automatically revoke valid student visas. However, it introduces heightened security vetting and background checks, which can lead to delays or difficulties when renewing or extending a visa.

In April, the Trump administration revoked the visas and terminated the SEVIS records of international students on vague grounds, including mere appearances in criminal records checks or unspecified “foreign policy” concerns, often without any formal charges or clear evidence of wrongdoing. Although those visas were later reinstated through legal challenges, the administration escalated its approach by issuing a blanket ban on F-1 visas for all Chinese nationals on May 28, 2025.

While we can’t predict future actions with certainty, the administration has shown a clear pattern of targeting international students, particularly based on political activity, brushes with law enforcement, and now nationality. Students should remain informed, cautious, and seek support from campus resources and legal counsel when needed.

If a student maintains valid F-1 or J-1 status, remaining in the United States is still permitted even if the visa stamp expires. However, if a student travels abroad, the visa must be renewed before re-entry. As described above, entry may be denied even if the student successfully obtains a visa stamp abroad.

Visa renewal requires an application through a U.S. consulate or embassy. This process may include interviews, additional document requests, and delays due to extreme vetting policies. Consulate wait times should be checked in advance, and applications should be prepared thoroughly.

Changing visa status (e.g., from F-1 to another visa type) is possible but depends on individual circumstances. Consultation with an immigration attorney is strongly recommended to understand the risks and processing timelines.

If a student receives a notice of revocation, immediate legal assistance should be sought. These revocation notices are commonly sent as an email from a U.S. Consulate in the foreign national’s home country. 

While the updated ICE policy states that a visa revocation may be a basis for terminating a SEVIS record, students can still challenge the SEVIS termination and are advised to seek legal counsel to evaluate their situation.

To maintain visa status, students should:

• Remain enrolled full-time and comply with visa requirements.
• Keep I-20 or DS-2019 documents updated and signed for travel.
• Report any changes, including address, program, or employment, to the Designated School Official.
• Avoid unauthorized work or any activity that could violate visa terms.

Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) may face increased scrutiny or denial when applying for work authorization or visas after securing work authorization. Maintaining proper documentation of employment and consulting with the DSO before traveling is strongly advised.

If you are a Chinese national holding OPT status, please read the guidance provided above about the risks of traveling under the new visa policy restrictions.

If you are an international student from another country, travel is possible but carries risks. If traveling, students should have:

• A valid F-1 visa.
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
• A valid job offer letter.
• Proof of continuing employment.
• A recent travel signature from the DSO.
• Contact information for an immigration attorney.

• Remain calm and request to speak to an attorney. While there is no right to representation at a port of entry, people can carry their attorney’s information with them while they travel, or share it with a friend or family member in case of an emergency.
• Do not sign any documents without legal advice.
• Provide only the required documents and avoid answering unnecessary questions about religion, political views, or social media use.
• Contact the school’s international student office as soon as possible.

U.S. border officials have the authority to request access to electronic devices. While international students can refuse, this may lead to further questioning or denial of entry. Limiting sensitive data on devices before traveling is recommended.