Caught in limbo: Students face US visa uncertainty

Hopes were dashed in May for students who had planned a study abroad period in the United States after the US government imposed a temporary halt to visa applications. This came in the wake of a shift in politics, where US authorities began revoking visas for incoming international students who had shown so-called »anti-Israel activism«.

Now the US is once again processing visa applications from international students. But this comes with a thorough review of students’ posts on social media. Applicants must have open profiles so the US State Department can scrutinise them.

It’s a huge internal conflict — should you compromise on freedom of speech just to go on exchange?

Malene, UCPH student

One of the students caught in limbo over the past few months is Malene, who is set to go on exchange in the US this summer. She studies at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and has asked to remain anonymous due to her ongoing visa application. The University Post knows her full identity.

Malene says she has checked daily to see if the embassy opened for visa interview bookings, as information from both the embassy and UCPH has been sparse. She managed to book a visa interview in early September, but the timeline worries her.

»Classes start just two weeks later, so I’m afraid I won’t get my visa in time,« she says.

She has already spent significant time and resources planning the stay:

»I’ve found a place to live, paid the deposit, rented out my own apartment here, and quit my job. I’ve put everything on hold here at home, and I won’t have time to register for courses at UCPH next semester if I don’t get my visa.«

READ ALSO: Danish student in the U.S.: »I should be one of those who speaks up«

Before the visa interview, Malene opened up her Instagram profile — the only one of her social media accounts that was private. She reviewed her posts and deleted anything that could impact her visa application.

»I had, for example, reposted something about the storming of the Capitol, and I deleted that. But it’s a huge internal conflict — should you compromise on freedom of speech just to go on exchange?«

»I’ve previously participated in Gaza demonstrations and flea markets supporting Gaza. Could I be denied entry because of that? It’s hard to navigate.«

She’s also considered whether the courses in feminist theory she has signed up for at the US university could negatively affect her application.

»I hadn’t imagined that could become an issue — but now I wonder if it’s something that could be criticised.«

The atmosphere is strained among students that she knows who are also going on exchange to the US. Some haven’t been able to book a visa interview until long after classes start. Malene herself doesn’t know if her timeline will hold, and she has also applied for expedited processing.

»It’s all unpredictable. I feel like my entire future after the summer break depends on Donald Trump.«

UCPH: Understand the local context

At the University of Copenhagen, there has been ongoing dialogue with students going on exchange this summer, and since 18 June, when the US embassy reopened for interview bookings, the advice has been for students to book as soon as possible. This is according to Anne Bruun who heads the International Education Office at UCPH.

UCPH rector David Dreyer Lassen has previously told the University Post that UCPH employees should »think twice about which computer and phone they bring to the US«

But this does not apply to students, says Anne Bruun.

»The two groups are different, as students typically use their own personal computers, while staff have UCPH equipment and often have access to sensitive research data,« she says.

So what is the advice to students heading to the US on exchange?

»We generally advise that people be aware of information security — take care of their belongings, don’t leave laptops open, and follow guidance on updates and safe usage. These are basic good practices that we also recommend for other international study trips.«

There have been several cases of international students in the US having their visa status changed or their green card revoked. Is it even responsible for UCPH students to go right now?

»Yes, I believe it is. UCPH has exchange agreements with universities in many countries. In several of them, you need to be mindful of how you behave — both on social media and in public. You have to read the local context, which may differ from what we know in Denmark. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. We talk to students about this at pre-departure meetings. It’s a new situation in the US, yes, but I wouldn’t say it’s irresponsible,« says Anne Bruun.

When asked whether UCPH advises students to review their social media for content that the US government might take issue with, Anne Bruun says no.

»But I assume most students already do that,« she says.

»An interesting and historic time«

The University Post has previously covered how the Trump administration’s hard line on academia affects visiting researchers at foreign universities.

What began as a campaign against pro-Palestinian groups and antisemitism has evolved into a battle over academic freedom. A battle that, among other things, has seen Trump freeze billions in federal funding to US universities that don’t comply and shut down their diversity, equity and inclusion programmes.

It’s a new situation in the U.S., yes, but I wouldn’t say it’s irresponsible

Anne Bruun, head of International Education

READ ALSO: Danish researcher: A fight for freedom is brewing at US universities

According to Danish news site Politiken’s US correspondent Jacob Fuglsang, the US government’s new measures against international students should be seen as part of »the Trump administration’s culture war aimed at the country’s universities in general, and the elite Ivy League universities in particular.«

For US universities, international students contribute not only diverse backgrounds and experiences — they also bring in serious amounts of money in tuition fees. According to Politiken, international students made up six percent of all students at US universities in the 2023/2024 academic year. This makes them an effective target for President Trump and his administration to pressure universities that don’t fall in line.

Back at UCPH, the political turmoil in the US weighs heavily on Malene, who applied for exchange months before Donald Trump launched his crackdown on US universities and international students. But it’s the visa issue that dominates her thoughts.

»Now that I’ve come this far in the process, I’m trying to put a positive spin on it: Maybe it’s also an interesting and historic time to be in the US. Maybe I’m just saying that to keep my spirits up. It takes a lot to go on exchange. I think I’ve spent at least three hours a week since I applied — on grant applications, planning and practicalities.«

Will you take part in student politics or activism on campus while you’re in the US?

»It all depends on the situation. It would be a lie to say I haven’t been deterred from activism. I think a lot more about how things might be interpreted.«

READ ALSO: Danish researcher in the US feeling the Trump pressure: »Surely, universities should be where we speak freely«