Danish students in the US reflect on visa fears and self-censorship

There is a tense atmosphere at US universities following numerous reports of international students who suddenly had their visas revoked.

This is according to Claudia Steenhard, a former anthropology student at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), who is now pursuing a master’s degree in journalism at Columbia University in New York.

Two specific deportation cases of international students have gained worldwide media attention

One is the former student and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who acted as spokesperson and negotiator for students during last year’s encampment at Columbia University. He had his US permanent residency ‘green card’ revoked and was arrested in March.

Student newspapers are now getting daily requests from students who want their bylines removed from articles or opinion pieces that relate to pro-Palestinian activism.

Claudia Steenhard, student, Columbia University

The other case involves Indian PhD student Ranjani Srinivasan, who had her visa revoked in March after being accused of participating in activities supporting Hamas.

»The latest update from the university is that a further four international students have had their visas revoked. This is creating extreme uncertainty. A lot of people are now constantly on edge, afraid that a plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer will suddenly appear and tap them on the shoulder,« says Claudia Steenhard from New York when the University Post reached her by phone.

It is particularly students who have previously participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations who feel vulnerable. Several of them have even deleted posts about the topic from their social media accounts, she explains.

»Student newspapers are now getting daily requests from students who want their bylines removed from articles or opinion pieces that relate to pro-Palestinian activism,« says the Danish student.

Strong student solidarity

Although Claudia Steenhard does not generally see herself as one of the students at risk of sudden deportation, she still feels the consequences of the new Trump administration’s policies toward universities and academic communities.

She is in the US through the Fulbright programme — one of the world’s most prestigious academic exchange scholarship programmes. But in February, the programme had its federal funding temporarily frozen, affecting her chances of extending her visa.

»It was always my plan to stay in the US and work as a journalist after I finish at Columbia in May. And I had been promised that I could extend my visa, but right now that’s all up in the air,« she says.

The students are united by the repression and loss of rights we’re now experiencing — and strangely enough, this makes you want to stay even more.

Claudia Steenhard, student, Columbia University

When Fulbright students complete their studies, they are typically required to return to their home country for at least two years before they can apply for a new extended visa. However, the Fulbright programme can sponsor a visa extension corresponding to the length of the student’s education — which Claudia Steenhard had been promised.

That sponsorship has recently fallen through, but the outcome is still »open-ended,« says Claudia Steenhard, who is currently exploring other options for extending her visa.

Despite the atmosphere on campus being marked by uncertainty and anger over the new policies, Claudia Steenhard has no regrets about her time in the US.

»As a journalist, there’s a duality in being here right now. It’s a huge moment to be part of. The students are united by the repression and loss of rights we’re now experiencing — and strangely enough, this makes you want to stay even more,« she says, and continues:

»It’s contradictory, because we are in a country that is trying to push us out, where the majority of the population has voted for a president running a very intense campaign against universities and the academic elite. Still, it feels like a necessity to stay.«

Unlike many other international students, Claudia Steenhard is also not, generally speaking, afraid to speak to the media about the situation.

»I’m a white, European journalist who hasn’t covered or written directly about pro-Palestinian demonstrations, so I think I should be one of those who speaks out.«

Staying silent in public

Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt is a student of geography and geoinformatics at the University of Copenhagen. Since early January she has been on exchange at the University of California in San Diego.

She lives with three American roommates and spends her daily life on campus and in the surrounding city.

»It’s quite something to be here right now. It feels a bit like a land of contradictions — on the one hand, politics is really integrated into people’s identities, and on the other hand, there isn’t really a tradition of talking about it — at least that’s my impression,« says Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt.

The University of California has, however, issued messages to students on how to navigate the current political climate.

»Last week we were told that five students from the university have had their visas revoked. And we were warned not to leave the country while studying, because the university leadership can’t guarantee we’ll be allowed back in,« says Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt. She adds:

»The university says it doesn’t know the exact reason why the students lost their visas. But of course there’s speculation that it might be because they were involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.«

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While not exactly feeling unsafe, Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt says she has become more aware of what she says in public and what she posts on social media.

Sometimes I’ve thought I should have chosen a European university instead — I’m not thrilled about spending my money over here right now.

Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt, student, University of California

»I’ve completely stopped posting political content. And when I was out eating with my roommates at a fast-food place recently, I said something critical of the Trump administration and was told I might want to think twice about what I say in public,« she says.

She has also started carrying her passport and visa with her while moving around campus. That way, she can always account for who she is, if asked.

»I haven’t heard anything from UCPH about how to handle this situation, and I’ve actually missed that. I’d like to know if I’m in a particularly risky category because of my visa status or things like that,« she says.

Despite the situation, Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt still thinks it’s »great« to be on exchange in the US. She had originally planned to travel around a bit once her semester ends later this year, but she’s now reconsidering that plan.

»Sometimes I’ve thought I should have chosen a European university instead — I’m not thrilled about spending my money over here right now. That’s also a small part of the reason why I might not end up travelling when the semester is over.«

UCPH is monitoring the situation

Anne Bruun is head of international education at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). She reports that there are currently 45 UCPH students on exchange in the United States.

She also explains that she and the other exchange coordinators at UCPH receive the same emails from host universities as the students do — for example, from the University of California.

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»US universities take a slightly different approach to safety and communication than we’re used to in Denmark. They are very cautious — and that applies to all kinds of contexts,« says Anne Bruun. She continues:

At UCPH, we are monitoring the situation and continuously assessing whether to supplement the messages from partner universities — or whether that would only serve to heighten students’ anxiety.

Anne Bruun, head of international education, University of Copenhagen

»For example, it’s common for US universities to ask students to register if they are travelling abroad for a few days. This relates to culture, their insurance systems, and their responsibility for each individual student.«

Still, it is clear that the latest updates from US partner universities are linked to the current political climate, says Anne Bruun. She is not surprised that the universities are making an effort to communicate with students about the situation.

»At UCPH, we are monitoring the situation and continuously assessing whether to supplement the messages from partner universities — or whether that would only serve to heighten students’ anxiety in a way that would not be helpful.«

So far, UCPH has not found it necessary to send out any information to the students currently in the US.

»None of the students have reached out to us either. For many of them, the situation has not significantly affected their everyday lives in the US,« says Anne Bruun.

UCPH generally follows the travel advisories issued by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Should those change, UCPH will assess the new situation and communicate directly with the affected students, Anne Bruun says.

For now, UCPH’s advice to students in the US is:

»Be generally aware of the situation — just as you would in many other situations elsewhere in the world.«