(UNITED STATES) A national survey released on Dec 10, 2025 by Stop AAPI Hate finds that only 4% of international students in the United States feel “very” or “extremely” safe under federal immigration and enforcement policies tied to President Trump’s return to the White House. The report, “Unsafe, Unwelcome, and Uncertain,” draws on responses from 87 undergraduate and graduate students at 36 colleges and universities and describes daily fear that goes well beyond paperwork.
Scope of fear and behavior changes
More than half of respondents, 53%, said they feel “not at all safe,” while 90% reported moderate to extreme fear about their F-1 visa status. The stress is changing how students live and participate:
- 88% said they reduced political participation because they felt less belonging.
- 86% said they changed how they use social media to avoid attention from authorities.
“Run, don’t come,” wrote one respondent. Another said, “America is no longer the land for dreams.”
Personal experiences and specific fears
Students’ anonymous comments show deep dread on campuses. Reported fears included:
- Fear of “being kidnapped by ICE without due process, being disappeared into the detention system, [and] being denied healthcare if detained.”
- Worry that a small mistake, a traffic stop, or a post taken out of context could trigger sudden visa problems.
The survey does not identify individuals, their schools, or their home countries. Stop AAPI Hate reports that 72% of respondents were from Asian countries, with Chinese students particularly describing a sense of being watched.
Policy changes cited by the report
The anxiety has been fueled by several policy moves and enforcement signals since the 2024 election:
- A May 27, 2025 decision by the Department of State to halt F-1 visa interviews worldwide for three weeks, then restart them with stricter social media checks aimed at what officials called “antisemitic political speech.” Students and advisers said the pause stranded people abroad and made summer travel feel like a gamble.
- Travel bans that barred entry from 12 countries and restricted others, affecting students traveling during breaks or for conferences.
- A set of executive orders dated June 6, 2025 that tightened rules and left students uncertain about what could change next.
Higher education groups, worried about reports of visas being revoked with little warning, sought urgent briefings from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security on April 7, 2025, according to the survey background.
Practical risks to status and campus support gaps
For students in F-1 status, the fear is not only about entering the country but also about staying on track once classes begin. Common day-to-day requirements that can threaten lawful status include:
- Dropping below a full course load without permission
- Working off campus without proper authorization
- Failing to report an address change
Survey findings on campus support:
- 48% reported access to campus guidance about finishing studies if disrupted.
- Only 38% said they had been able to get legal aid.
Respondents said campus resources often seem built for citizens, leaving international students—often about 5% of enrollment—feeling like an afterthought.
Career impact and visa pathways
The climate is affecting career plans, which many international students view as the main reason to study in the U.S.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows many F-1 students to work after graduation and can be a bridge to an H-1B employer-sponsored visa.
- Students who apply for work authorization typically file Form I-765; the official filing information is on USCIS here: Form I-765.
When students fear losing status over minor issues or vetting changes, they may avoid internships, research trips, or public-facing roles that build a résumé. Employers may also hesitate to hire graduates who could face delays, tighter checks, or sudden rule shifts. That dynamic can reduce the pipeline into H-1B filings and later green-card sponsorship—pathways many plan years in advance.
VisaVerge.com notes that small changes in visa processing can quickly ripple into hiring because many firms recruit on strict campus calendars and can’t wait through long administrative pauses.
Economic and institutional consequences
The report highlights broader costs to higher education and local economies:
- The U.S. enrolled more than 1.17 million international students in recent years.
- Their tuition and spending have been valued in the tens of billions of dollars annually.
Even before a clear national drop, some universities reported declines in new international student numbers. Prospective students from major sending countries such as India and China are increasingly weighing alternatives in Europe, Canada, and Australia.
Survey anecdotes show students telling friends abroad not to come and warning that the U.S. may no longer be welcoming to talent.
Campus life, self-censorship, and comparisons
Stop AAPI Hate stresses that the sense of threat touches everyday life on and off campus:
- Students said they avoided protests, skipped student group meetings, and held back in class when politics came up.
- Others scrubbed their online histories or stopped sharing articles to avoid misinterpretation.
Some Chinese students compared the mood to the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans — a historical reference underscoring how quickly fear can harden into self-censorship.
What students want from universities
Respondents called for concrete supports:
- Confidential mental health services that feel safe for noncitizens
- More pro bono legal help
- Emergency funds for unexpected travel or visa costs
- Flexible course options (online or hybrid) so students can keep studying if stuck abroad or afraid to cross a border
Administrators face both reputational and legal challenges: a campus promising belonging can still be perceived as unsafe if international students feel they are “one policy memo away from removal.” Word of that perception spreads quickly through family networks and social media overseas.
Ripple effects and local impacts
Other outlets, including Inside Higher Ed and the Times of India, cited the Stop AAPI Hate findings, showing how campus mood influences national reputation. The report summarizes how students now:
- Plan trips with backup routes
- Keep lawyers’ numbers on hand
- Avoid leaving the United States even for academic conferences
- Experience daily parent concern after news about raids or deportations
Advisers warned that declines in international enrollment can lead to losses in lab staff and teaching assistants, and hurt local landlords and businesses in college towns.
Conclusion: risk to the U.S. higher-education magnet
If only 4% of international students say they feel safe, the survey suggests the United States risks turning its education system from a global magnet into a warning. The potential effects can last beyond any single election cycle, affecting recruitment, research, campus life, and local economies.
A December 2025 Stop AAPI Hate survey of 87 students at 36 U.S. colleges finds only 4% feel very or extremely safe under recent federal immigration and enforcement policies. Fifty-three percent feel not at all safe and 90% report moderate to extreme fear about F-1 status. High percentages reported reducing political participation and changing social media behavior; many also lack legal aid or consistent campus guidance. The report warns this climate could harm recruitment, career pathways like OPT-to-H-1B, university finances, and local economies.
