In brief
Under the Trump administration, the atmosphere for international students has turned sour, leading to fears of travel, limited participation in protests, and a diminished sense of safety and freedom.
Once drawn to American universities as havens, international students are finding the U.S. not as welcoming or free as they expected under the Trump administration. For many, including Hassan Kamal Wattoo, a 25-year-old law student from Pakistan, the dream of studying in America is being dimmed by policies that seem to restrict freedoms.Wattoo faced intimidation from Pakistani authorities over his critical writings, so he eagerly accepted a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley. However, unsettling incidents, such as the detention of noncitizen students for protesting and the cancellation of numerous student visas, have made him reconsider his future here. He plans to return home after graduation, noting strained relationships and fear overshadowing what once felt like a safe haven for ideas and expression.A survey conducted by The New York Times garnered responses from international students who voiced similar concerns about their safety and rights. Many opted out of travel plans to avoid potential issues re-entering the U.S., while some now avoid discussing controversial topics publicly, fearing backlash. This shift reflects a broader anxiety regarding the state of free speech and support for activism within the current U.S. climate, reminiscent to Wattoo of the oppressive conditions he sought to escape.
