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New immigration and travel restrictions are creating uncertainty for international students and families planning to pursue higher education in the United States.
On Jan. 14, 2026, President Donald Trump announced the suspension of immigrant visa issuance for people from 75 countries. Applicants may still submit paperwork and attend interviews, but visas will not be issued until the suspension ends.
“Banning people from entering the U.S. legally is going to make the problem of illegal immigrants worse,” said one student who asked to remain anonymous.
The administration is also expanding an earlier 12-country travel ban to cover 38 countries. Nineteen face partial restrictions, while the others are subject to full bans.
“I live on the Ivory Coast, one of the countries with a partial ban,” sophomore Ani Kharatyan said. “Since I have a diplomatic passport I’m not affected, but a lot of my friends are.”
Most nonimmigrant visas are not directly affected by the immigrant visa suspension, but the Department of Homeland Security is still reviewing rules governing student visas.
Changes announced in 2025 could limit how long students may remain in the country on F-1, J-1 and M-1 visas. F-1 visas cover full-time academic students at high schools, colleges and universities. J-1 visas apply to approved cultural and academic exchange programs, while M-1 visas are intended for technical and career-focused study.
DHS has proposed ending the “duration of status” policy, which generally permits foreign students to stay while enrolled in their programs. Under the proposal, students would be limited to four years. Those enrolled in longer programs would have to request extensions that can be expensive and are not guaranteed.
If approved, the changes are expected to take effect during the 2026-27 school year.
“We have a lot of international students here at McLean, and a lot of them do plan to stay in the United States to attend college,” guidance counselor Kathleen Otal said. She said access to highly regarded colleges is a major reason many families come to the country.
Social studies teacher Ian Howell said the shifting policies have made the outlook difficult to predict.
“It’s all a new game now, trying to figure out what’s gonna survive,” Howell said, arguing that the president is using visas to pressure schools over ideological disputes.
DHS officials have said the proposed change would improve oversight of participants in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and make information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System more accessible. Officials also expect it to reduce the number of visa holders remaining in the country.
In June, Trump signed a separate order temporarily suspending new F, J and M visas for students entering Harvard University and certain other institutions. More than 6,000 international students across multiple universities had their visas revoked amid the broader crackdown. The suspension does not apply to students in SEVP.
“If the president wants an ideological change to a university, he can either threaten the visa status of their students or threaten the research money,” Howell said. “He’s doing both, knowing that the loss of either one would then cause the university to suffer and possibly fail.”
The administration is also examining employment programs tied to student visas, including Optional Practical Training and the transition from F-1 status to an H-1B work visa. That review has added to the uncertainty facing international graduates who hope to work in the United States after completing their studies.
Supporters describe the measures as part of an “America First” effort to prioritize U.S. citizens in the labor market. Howell noted that employers seeking H-1B workers with specialized skills must sponsor them, pay the required wages and show that the hiring does not displace an American worker.
The effects could extend beyond individual students. Smaller colleges and public universities often rely heavily on international enrollment, and tighter restrictions could discourage foreign students from applying to American schools.
“I’m receiving letters from the university that I need to inform them about what kind of visa I have,” said Zhanar Daurenbek, an international student at George Washington University. “It has made me very stressed.”
Domestic applicants could encounter less competition if fewer international students apply. Senior Ethan Mei said the decline in student visas could make admission to American universities easier for U.S. students.
But reduced international enrollment could also place financial pressure on colleges, particularly smaller institutions. The number of international students traveling to the United States for school has fallen 19% since October 2024. Because many pay full tuition, schools could respond to lost revenue by raising tuition for domestic students.
Visa changes may also affect families connected to organizations such as the United Nations and World Bank. Howell said children in those families can receive subsidies through special visa arrangements, but could lose that support if their parents lose their status.
Otal said some parents return to their home countries after their children graduate from high school, while the students remain in the United States for college. New restrictions could disrupt those plans.
“It’s going to take a lot of our great students away from the college system,” Otal said, adding that international students bring valuable perspectives from around the world.