They won scholarships and admission offers: Here’s why thousands of international students are still not arriving in America

Thousands of international students who have secured scholarships and admission offers to study in the US are unable to begin their courses this academic year. Despite receiving acceptance letters and even visas, many are being blocked from entering the country due to the travel ban imposed by President Trump’s administration.Students from 19 countries affected by the ban have found their plans derailed, even after years of preparation and significant financial investment. The restrictions have led to a sharp decline in the arrival of international students, who traditionally make up a significant portion of US college campuses.Travel ban and visa restrictions halt international studentsThe travel ban announced by President Trump affects citizens from 12 countries fully and imposes additional restrictions on seven others, spanning Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. The policy prevents many from obtaining new visas, including student visas such as the F-1 and J-1 categories.According to the US State Department, over 5,700 F-1 and J-1 visas were issued to citizens of the 19 affected countries between May and September last year. Iran and Myanmar accounted for more than half of these approved visas. However, the ban and increased vetting have created significant delays and denials for new applicants.Many students who had planned to arrive in the US this fall have deferred their admission or cancelled their visa interviews. Bahara Saghari, a 21-year-old from Afghanistan, won an offer to study business administration at Knox College in Illinois. However, she was forced to cancel her visa appointment and postpone her education plans, as reported by the Associated Press.Students face blocked opportunities despite scholarships and visasStudents like Saghari, Pouya Karami from Iran, and Gu Gu from Myanmar have scholarships and admissions but are unable to enter the US due to the ban. Karami, a 17-year-old who planned to study polymer chemistry at Pittsburg State University in Kansas, deferred his admission for a year while awaiting the chance to obtain a visa. As quoted by the Associated Press, Karami is “doing everything I can” to overturn the restrictions.Gu Gu, 18, was accepted to the University of South Florida but was unable to attend after his visa appointment was delayed indefinitely. His family had saved for years to support his education abroad. He told the Associated Press, “I was all in for US, so this kind of breaks my heart.”The travel ban has also disrupted research opportunities. Amir, an Iranian researcher, was due to begin a visiting scholar position at the University of Pennsylvania but has remained in Tehran due to visa issues. His professor postponed the appointment until next year, but Amir describes the situation as “a shot in the dark,” according to the Associated Press.Broader impact on students’ futures and alternative destinationsThe policy has led some students to look for alternatives outside the US. Saghari applied to universities in Europe but encountered difficulties with admissions requirements and test validity. She has been accepted by a university in Poland on the condition of upfront tuition payment.Others face language barriers and additional application processes if they consider studying in Europe, which contrasts with the extensive research opportunities available in the US. Karami emphasised that no other country offers the same scope for scientific research, as reported by the Associated Press.President Trump justified the travel ban by citing high visa overstay rates and national security concerns related to the screening processes of the affected countries. He has stated that the ban will remain until the US identifies and addresses “inadequacies” in these processes.Despite the obstacles, the US remains the first choice for many international students due to its renowned educational institutions and research opportunities. However, the travel ban continues to restrict access for thousands, affecting both individual futures and the diversity of American campuses.