Bahara Saghari and others from travel-ban countries are unable to attend U.S. colleges this fall despite being accepted, as delays, visa restrictions, and outright prohibitions block their way.
At a Glance
- The U.S. travel ban covers citizens of 12 countries under full restrictions and 7 more under tighter vetting, affecting new visa approvals from May through September.
- Thousands of admitted students are not showing up to campuses this fall either due to visa delays, fear of policy changes, or loss of legal status.
- Some students have deferred or canceled their U.S. plans and are seeking education in Europe or elsewhere.
- Exemptions exist for green card holders, dual citizens, and some types of individuals (e.g. certain athletes), but the uncertainties remain high.
The Scope Of The Ban
The travel ban instituted by President Trump affects citizens from 19 countries, with 12 under the full ban (which prohibits most new visa issuance) and 7 under enhanced vetting requirements.
The stated reasoning includes concerns about national security, visa over-stay rates, and “deficient” screening processes in some of the targeted countries. The administration has signaled that the ban will remain until “identified inadequacies” are addressed.
Watch now: President Trump bans most international students from entering the United States to study
Impact On Students And Universities
Many students who had already been accepted into U.S. universities are unable to arrive in time—or at all—because of visa appointment delays, denied or postponed interviews, or uncertainty about legal status. Bahara Saghari from Afghanistan is one of those, having had her fall admissions derailed.
Some students are deferring admission for a year, others are giving up on attending the U.S. entirely and turning to schools in Europe or elsewhere, though they face new issues there (language, admissions deadlines, tuition).
Broader Implications
The loss is two-way: U.S. colleges are likely to see reduced international enrollment, which impacts diversity, tuition revenue, and research collaborations. For students, aside from academic disruptions, there’s emotional toll—loss of expected opportunity, uncertainty, and damage to long-term planning.
Internationally, countries whose citizens are affected may see brain drain or delays in educating skilled future professionals. Many of these students are also part of extended family hopes and remittances, meaning impact reverberates beyond the individual.
What Comes Next
There are calls from students and advocacy groups for Congress or courts to challenge or modify the travel ban. Some affected individuals are reaching out to political representatives for intervention.
Universities are also scrambling to offer flexibility on admission deferrals, mode of learning (online/hybrid), and support to students stuck abroad. But systemic uncertainty about policy remains a major barrier.
