American Universities Urge International Students To Avoid Foreign Travel Despite Visa Restoration Relief

The Trump administration's latest action to reinstate legal status to international students whose legal status was taken away has provided some relief, but universities are still warning students about the risks of traveling abroad this summer.

Even though the administration has indicated, institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, and Duke University recommend that international students refrain from international travel except absolutely necessary due to the ambiguity associated with immigration policy.

Duke University statement

"A valid visa does not guarantee of entry into the U.S. because of the broad discretion that is given to Customs & Border Protection officers at entry points," Duke University cautioned in a statement to its international community.

"Duke visa service for students and faculty" also instructed students to "avoid international travel unless necessary." They also said, "If international travel is unavoidable, and you have questions or concerns about your future travel, we suggest you talk to your Duke Visa Services liaison."

The warning follows the revocation of visas for thousands of students in recent weeks, with the administration citing national security reasons. But many of the students allege they were targeted for their activism, especially around the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The administration has agreed to restore student records and legal status while developing a new framework for revoking immigration records. However, universities remain cautious, emphasising that a valid visa does not guarantee entry to the US due to the discretion granted to Customs and Border Protection officers.

In one of the lawsuits, a government attorney issued a statement in federal court in Oakland, California, stating that ICE was reinstating student status for individuals whose records had been terminated in recent weeks, according to PTI reports.

According to the media reports, at least five campuses have issued warnings to their international communities, highlighting the risks involved in re-entering the US. Students are advised to consult with their university's visa services liaison if they have questions or concerns about their upcoming travel.

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