Top Universities Respond To US Visa Crackdown
As immigration policies grow increasingly restrictive across the United States, Arizona’s top universities are responding with urgent travel advisories and innovative alternatives for international students.
On June 5, Michigan State University issued a firm warning to its international students, urging them not to travel abroad amid mounting concerns over visa delays and reentry complications. Arizona State University followed suit a day later.
According to the media reports, ASU’s International Students and Scholars Centre sent an email on June 6 strongly recommending that students currently outside the U.S. return by June 9 and avoid any further international travel until they complete their degrees. The advisory, though not binding, signals how quickly visa-related uncertainties are shaping institutional policies.
The number of students who were directly affected by this recommendation is still unknown, but the action represents a major step for one of the biggest colleges in the nation in terms of enrolling overseas students. ASU is home to over 17,000 international students, a number rivalled by only a few other institutions nationwide.
The ASU warning, according to the media, echoes worries that faculty members had previously expressed informally when they advised students not to leave the country.
Many students, particularly those in technical and scientific disciplines, depend on overseas travel for professional needs like conferences or certificates, according to Michael Kintscher, president of the United Campus Workers of Arizona. These chances may now be at jeopardy due to new restrictions.
Additionally, Kintscher said that it is often necessary to return home for visa renewals, adding another layer of uncertainty for students who are torn between immigration constraints and academic goals.
"Students are observing what's going on and are greatly concerned," Kintscher said to ABC15, noting concerns that these actions may deter future students from pursuing higher education in the U.S.
In a release, Arizona State University asserted its continued support of international students and stated that it remains closely watching the developing situation. The university stressed that its International Students and Scholars Centre is still a primary destination for students facing these uncertain times.
Meanwhile, across the state, the University of Arizona (UA) is taking a different approach to ensure continuity in international education. To counter declining enrollment and growing visa hurdles, UA is launching a first-semester study abroad program in London. This initiative allows international students to begin their degree path without entering the U.S. immediately, bypassing visa-related complications and SEVIS registration.
“This is a pilot program that allows students to stay on track academically while remaining outside the U.S.,” said Jenny Lee, UA’s Vice President for International Education, during a presentation to the Arizona Board of Regents. She added that UA’s global micro-campuses—located in various countries—also enable students to earn U.S. degrees without needing a U.S. visa at all.
Lee acknowledged that recent federal moves have shaken confidence among prospective students. “The termination of SEVIS records earlier this year affected thousands. Even though many of those cases were later reversed, the damage in terms of perception is already done,” she said.
While the University of Arizona has yet to confirm when the London program will officially launch or which degree programs will be included, its direction is clear: offering flexible alternatives to preserve the global character of American higher education.
As reported by the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, with over 27,000 international students currently enrolled in Arizona’s universities, these new developments highlight how institutions are adapting to an increasingly volatile immigration environment—balancing caution with creative solutions to keep global education pathways open.
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