More than a thousand international students across the United States are facing unexpected visa terminations, sparking legal battles and personal turmoil. One of them is Anjan Roy, a Bangladeshi computer science graduate student at Missouri State University, whose academic and professional trajectory changed abruptly with a short, bureaucratic email. As reported by the Associated Press, the message informed him that his legal student status had been terminated without prior notice.
“I was in literal shock, like…….?” Roy told AP, capturing the disbelief many international students are now experiencing.
Unannounced visa revocations and fear of deportation
Roy’s experience reflects a larger issue affecting more than 1,100 students enrolled in 174 educational institutions across the US. His legal troubles began without a detailed explanation. Following the email notification, Roy withdrew from campus life, stayed with relatives, and kept his phone off, worried that he could be detained or deported at any time.
The change in policy comes under the Trump administration's intensified scrutiny of international students. The administration has cited national security as a justification, but many of the students have not been charged with any crimes or violations, leaving them in a state of confusion and fear.
Temporary legal relief, along with beats of uncertainty
Roy later received a court ruling that temporarily restored his legal status, allowing him to stay in the country and resume classes. However, this is not a permanent resolution. He remains cautious, asking roommates to screen visitors and avoiding unnecessary exposure.
Similar temporary legal victories have been seen in other states, including Georgia, Oregon, and Montana. These rulings provide short-term relief, but only for those who have secured timely legal representation. Many students remain in legal uncertainty, unsure of what led to the revocation of their status in the first place.
Visa revoked without any violations committed
Roy’s history includes a minor interaction with police in 2021 over a housing-related matter. No charges were filed, and no wrongdoing was documented. Still, that single incident may have contributed to the termination of his student status.
According to attorney Charles Kuck, many students are being pressured into leaving voluntarily. “The pressure is calculated,” Kuck stated, suggesting that the uncertainty and hardship are being used as tools of enforcement.
Impact on mental health of students
The crackdown has taken a toll on students' mental health. Court filings include testimonies of students reporting severe stress symptoms, including insomnia, panic attacks, and depression. One Indian student at the University of Iowa stopped eating and sleeping. A Chinese student had to increase his medication due to worsening depression.
These students, who had left home countries to pursue education and careers in the United States, now find themselves in a situation that threatens not only their academic future but also their mental well-being.
Rethinking the American dream
Roy chose the US over Canada and Australia, drawn by the promise of academic excellence and professional growth. His parents in Dhaka now follow news reports with growing concern. His father has suggested that he move to Australia, where a cousin is a university professor—an option that Roy had never seriously considered before.
This situation points to a broader shift in the US’s approach to international students. What initially appeared to be procedural enforcement has, in effect, become a source of fear and displacement.
A quest for belongingness
For many students like Roy, the core issue is not just legal status—it’s about identity, belonging, and trust. When students invest years of their lives to study and contribute to a country, they expect a degree of certainty and fairness.
Roy has returned to classes for now, but another court hearing looms, and the outcome remains uncertain. As he waits, he is left to consider a question that many international students are now asking: Is the American Dream still attainable—or is it time to move on?
(With inputs from TOI)
“I was in literal shock, like…….?” Roy told AP, capturing the disbelief many international students are now experiencing.
Unannounced visa revocations and fear of deportation
Roy’s experience reflects a larger issue affecting more than 1,100 students enrolled in 174 educational institutions across the US. His legal troubles began without a detailed explanation. Following the email notification, Roy withdrew from campus life, stayed with relatives, and kept his phone off, worried that he could be detained or deported at any time.
The change in policy comes under the Trump administration's intensified scrutiny of international students. The administration has cited national security as a justification, but many of the students have not been charged with any crimes or violations, leaving them in a state of confusion and fear.
Temporary legal relief, along with beats of uncertainty
Roy later received a court ruling that temporarily restored his legal status, allowing him to stay in the country and resume classes. However, this is not a permanent resolution. He remains cautious, asking roommates to screen visitors and avoiding unnecessary exposure.
Similar temporary legal victories have been seen in other states, including Georgia, Oregon, and Montana. These rulings provide short-term relief, but only for those who have secured timely legal representation. Many students remain in legal uncertainty, unsure of what led to the revocation of their status in the first place.
Visa revoked without any violations committed
Roy’s history includes a minor interaction with police in 2021 over a housing-related matter. No charges were filed, and no wrongdoing was documented. Still, that single incident may have contributed to the termination of his student status.
According to attorney Charles Kuck, many students are being pressured into leaving voluntarily. “The pressure is calculated,” Kuck stated, suggesting that the uncertainty and hardship are being used as tools of enforcement.
Impact on mental health of students
The crackdown has taken a toll on students' mental health. Court filings include testimonies of students reporting severe stress symptoms, including insomnia, panic attacks, and depression. One Indian student at the University of Iowa stopped eating and sleeping. A Chinese student had to increase his medication due to worsening depression.
These students, who had left home countries to pursue education and careers in the United States, now find themselves in a situation that threatens not only their academic future but also their mental well-being.
Rethinking the American dream
Roy chose the US over Canada and Australia, drawn by the promise of academic excellence and professional growth. His parents in Dhaka now follow news reports with growing concern. His father has suggested that he move to Australia, where a cousin is a university professor—an option that Roy had never seriously considered before.
This situation points to a broader shift in the US’s approach to international students. What initially appeared to be procedural enforcement has, in effect, become a source of fear and displacement.
A quest for belongingness
For many students like Roy, the core issue is not just legal status—it’s about identity, belonging, and trust. When students invest years of their lives to study and contribute to a country, they expect a degree of certainty and fairness.
Roy has returned to classes for now, but another court hearing looms, and the outcome remains uncertain. As he waits, he is left to consider a question that many international students are now asking: Is the American Dream still attainable—or is it time to move on?
(With inputs from TOI)
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