{"id":176108,"date":"2025-04-14T06:48:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T04:48:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/dansk-studerende-i-usa-jeg-boer-vaere-en-af-dem-der-siger-noget\/"},"modified":"2025-04-14T14:26:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T12:26:06","slug":"danish-students-in-the-us-reflect-on-visa-fears-and-self-censorship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/danish-students-in-the-us-reflect-on-visa-fears-and-self-censorship\/","title":{"rendered":"Danish students in the US reflect on visa fears and self-censorship"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a tense atmosphere at US universities following numerous reports of international students who suddenly had their visas revoked.<\/p>\n

This is according to Claudia Steenhard, a former anthropology student at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), who is now pursuing a master\u2019s degree in journalism at Columbia University in New York.<\/p>\n

Two specific deportation cases of international students have gained worldwide media attention<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Claudia Steenhard, student, Columbia University<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The other case involves Indian PhD student Ranjani Srinivasan<\/a>, who had her visa revoked in March after being accused of participating in activities supporting Hamas.<\/p>\n

\u00bbThe 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,\u00ab says Claudia Steenhard from New York when the University Post reached her by phone.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00bbStudent newspapers are now getting daily requests from students who want their bylines removed from articles or opinion pieces that relate to pro-Palestinian activism,\u00ab says the Danish student.<\/p>\n

Strong student solidarity<\/h3>\n

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\u2019s policies toward universities and academic communities.<\/p>\n

She is in the US through the Fulbright programme \u2014 one of the world\u2019s most prestigious academic exchange scholarship programmes. But in February, the programme had its federal funding temporarily frozen, affecting her chances of extending her visa.<\/p>\n

\u00bbIt 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\u2019s all up in the air,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n

The students are united by the repression and loss of rights we\u2019re now experiencing \u2014 and strangely enough, this makes you want to stay even more.<\/p>\n

Claudia Steenhard, student, Columbia University<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u2019s education \u2014 which Claudia Steenhard had been promised.<\/p>\n

That sponsorship has recently fallen through, but the outcome is still \u00bbopen-ended,\u00ab says Claudia Steenhard, who is currently exploring other options for extending her visa.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00bbAs a journalist, there\u2019s a duality in being here right now. It\u2019s a huge moment to be part of. The students are united by the repression and loss of rights we\u2019re now experiencing \u2014 and strangely enough, this makes you want to stay even more,\u00ab she says, and continues:<\/p>\n

\u00bbIt\u2019s 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.\u00ab<\/p>\n

Unlike many other international students, Claudia Steenhard is also not, generally speaking, afraid to speak to the media about the situation.<\/p>\n

\u00bbI\u2019m a white, European journalist who hasn\u2019t covered or written directly about pro-Palestinian demonstrations, so I think I should<\/em> be one of those who speaks out.\u00ab<\/p>\n

Staying silent in public<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

She lives with three American roommates and spends her daily life on campus and in the surrounding city.<\/p>\n

\u00bbIt\u2019s quite something to be here right now. It feels a bit like a land of contradictions \u2014 on the one hand, politics is really integrated into people\u2019s identities, and on the other hand, there isn\u2019t really a tradition of talking about it \u2014 at least that\u2019s my impression,\u00ab says Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt.<\/p>\n

The University of California has, however, issued messages to students on how to navigate the current political climate.<\/p>\n

\u00bbLast 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\u2019t guarantee we\u2019ll be allowed back in,\u00ab says Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt. She adds:<\/p>\n

\u00bbThe university says it doesn\u2019t know the exact reason why the students lost their visas. But of course there\u2019s speculation that it might be because they were involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.\u00ab<\/p>\n

READ ALSO:<\/strong> Heading to the US? Check your devices, says rector<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Sometimes I\u2019ve thought I should have chosen a European university instead \u2014 I\u2019m not thrilled about spending my money over here right now.<\/p>\n

Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt, student, University of California<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u00bbI\u2019ve 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,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00bbI haven\u2019t heard anything from UCPH about how to handle this situation, and I\u2019ve actually missed that. I\u2019d like to know if I\u2019m in a particularly risky category because of my visa status or things like that,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n

Despite the situation, Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt still thinks it\u2019s \u00bbgreat\u00ab 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\u2019s now reconsidering that plan.<\/p>\n

\u00bbSometimes I\u2019ve thought I should have chosen a European university instead \u2014 I\u2019m not thrilled about spending my money over here right now. That\u2019s also a small part of the reason why I might not end up travelling when the semester is over.\u00ab<\/p>\n

UCPH is monitoring the situation<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

She also explains that she and the other exchange coordinators at UCPH receive the same emails from host universities as the students do \u2014 for example, from the University of California.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO:<\/strong> Rector\u2019s advice for travel to the US underestimates the threat<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00bbUS universities take a slightly different approach to safety and communication than we\u2019re used to in Denmark. They are very cautious \u2014 and that applies to all kinds of contexts,\u00ab says Anne Bruun. She continues:<\/p>\n

At UCPH, we are monitoring the situation and continuously assessing whether to supplement the messages from partner universities \u2014 or whether that would only serve to heighten students\u2019 anxiety.<\/p>\n

Anne Bruun, head of international education, University of Copenhagen<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u00bbFor example, it\u2019s 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.\u00ab<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00bbAt UCPH, we are monitoring the situation and continuously assessing whether to supplement the messages from partner universities \u2014 or whether that would only serve to heighten students\u2019 anxiety in a way that would not be helpful.\u00ab<\/p>\n

So far, UCPH has not found it necessary to send out any information to the students currently in the US.<\/p>\n

\u00bbNone 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,\u00ab says Anne Bruun.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For now, UCPH\u2019s advice to students in the US is:<\/p>\n

\u00bbBe generally aware of the situation \u2014 just as you would in many other situations elsewhere in the world.\u00ab
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At Columbia campus, students are constantly on edge \u2014 and at the University of California, they\u2019re warned not to leave the country. Two Danish students on what it\u2019s like to be in the US right now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":176087,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-176108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","expression-portrait_article"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nDanish students in the US reflect on visa fears and self-censorship \u2014 University Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/danish-students-in-the-us-reflect-on-visa-fears-and-self-censorship\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Danish students in the US reflect on visa fears and self-censorship \u2014 University Post\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"At Columbia campus, students are constantly on edge \u2014 and at the University of California, they\u2019re warned not to leave the country. 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Steenhard (left) is a student of journalism at Columbia University, Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt (right) is on exchange in San Diego. "},{"acf_fc_layout":"Standfirst","subject":"Trump's United States ","text":"P\u00e5 Columbia University kigger studerende sig over skulderen, n\u00e5r de f\u00e6rdes p\u00e5 campus, og p\u00e5 University of California frar\u00e5des studerende at forlade landet undervejs i deres studieophold. Uniavisen har talt med to danske studerende, som befinder sig p\u00e5 hver deres universitet i USA. ","use_post_excerpt":true},{"acf_fc_layout":"Byline","is_author":true,"contributors":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"Content","content":"<p>There is a tense atmosphere at US universities following numerous reports of international students who suddenly had their visas revoked.<\/p>\n<p>This is according to Claudia Steenhard, a former anthropology student at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), who is now pursuing a master\u2019s degree in journalism at Columbia University in New York.<\/p>\n<p>Two specific deportation cases of international students have gained worldwide media attention<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Claudia Steenhard, student, Columbia University<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The other case involves Indian PhD student <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/etimes\/trending\/the-untold-story-of-ranjani-srinivasan-the-non-binary-scholar-who-chose-self-deportation-from-us\/articleshow\/119112587.cms\">Ranjani Srinivasan<\/a>, who had her visa revoked in March after being accused of participating in activities supporting Hamas.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThe 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,\u00ab says Claudia Steenhard from New York when the University Post reached her by phone.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbStudent newspapers are now getting daily requests from students who want their bylines removed from articles or opinion pieces that relate to pro-Palestinian activism,\u00ab says the Danish student.<\/p>\n<h3>Strong student solidarity<\/h3>\n<p>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\u2019s policies toward universities and academic communities.<\/p>\n<p>She is in the US through the Fulbright programme \u2014 one of the world\u2019s most prestigious academic exchange scholarship programmes. But in February, the programme had its federal funding temporarily frozen, affecting her chances of extending her visa.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIt 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\u2019s all up in the air,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The students are united by the repression and loss of rights we\u2019re now experiencing \u2014 and strangely enough, this makes you want to stay even more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Claudia Steenhard, student, Columbia University<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>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\u2019s education \u2014 which Claudia Steenhard had been promised.<\/p>\n<p>That sponsorship has recently fallen through, but the outcome is still \u00bbopen-ended,\u00ab says Claudia Steenhard, who is currently exploring other options for extending her visa.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbAs a journalist, there\u2019s a duality in being here right now. It\u2019s a huge moment to be part of. The students are united by the repression and loss of rights we\u2019re now experiencing \u2014 and strangely enough, this makes you want to stay even more,\u00ab she says, and continues:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIt\u2019s 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.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p>Unlike many other international students, Claudia Steenhard is also not, generally speaking, afraid to speak to the media about the situation.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbI\u2019m a white, European journalist who hasn\u2019t covered or written directly about pro-Palestinian demonstrations, so I think I <em>should<\/em> be one of those who speaks out.\u00ab<\/p>\n<h3>Staying silent in public<\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>She lives with three American roommates and spends her daily life on campus and in the surrounding city.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIt\u2019s quite something to be here right now. It feels a bit like a land of contradictions \u2014 on the one hand, politics is really integrated into people\u2019s identities, and on the other hand, there isn\u2019t really a tradition of talking about it \u2014 at least that\u2019s my impression,\u00ab says Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt.<\/p>\n<p>The University of California has, however, issued messages to students on how to navigate the current political climate.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbLast 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\u2019t guarantee we\u2019ll be allowed back in,\u00ab says Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt. She adds:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThe university says it doesn\u2019t know the exact reason why the students lost their visas. But of course there\u2019s speculation that it might be because they were involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/heading-to-the-us-check-your-devices-says-rector\/\">Heading to the US? Check your devices, says rector<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Sometimes I\u2019ve thought I should have chosen a European university instead \u2014 I\u2019m not thrilled about spending my money over here right now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt, student, University of California<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00bbI\u2019ve 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,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbI haven\u2019t heard anything from UCPH about how to handle this situation, and I\u2019ve actually missed that. I\u2019d like to know if I\u2019m in a particularly risky category because of my visa status or things like that,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the situation, Tilde Marie Rastorp Reinhardt still thinks it\u2019s \u00bbgreat\u00ab 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\u2019s now reconsidering that plan.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbSometimes I\u2019ve thought I should have chosen a European university instead \u2014 I\u2019m not thrilled about spending my money over here right now. That\u2019s also a small part of the reason why I might not end up travelling when the semester is over.\u00ab<\/p>\n<h3>UCPH is monitoring the situation<\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>She also explains that she and the other exchange coordinators at UCPH receive the same emails from host universities as the students do \u2014 for example, from the University of California.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/rectors-advice-for-travel-to-the-us-underestimates-the-threat\/\">Rector\u2019s advice for travel to the US underestimates the threat<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00bbUS universities take a slightly different approach to safety and communication than we\u2019re used to in Denmark. They are very cautious \u2014 and that applies to all kinds of contexts,\u00ab says Anne Bruun. She continues:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>At UCPH, we are monitoring the situation and continuously assessing whether to supplement the messages from partner universities \u2014 or whether that would only serve to heighten students\u2019 anxiety.<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Anne Bruun, head of international education, University of Copenhagen<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00bbFor example, it\u2019s 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.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbAt UCPH, we are monitoring the situation and continuously assessing whether to supplement the messages from partner universities \u2014 or whether that would only serve to heighten students\u2019 anxiety in a way that would not be helpful.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p>So far, UCPH has not found it necessary to send out any information to the students currently in the US.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbNone 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,\u00ab says Anne Bruun.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>For now, UCPH\u2019s advice to students in the US is:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbBe generally aware of the situation \u2014 just as you would in many other situations elsewhere in the world.\u00ab<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"ArticleEnd"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Newsletter","lang_select":"en","identifier":"Newsletter","headline":"Get an email with upcoming University of Copenhagen events and top stories","button_text":"Sign up here","class":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"OtherStories","headline":"","hand_picked_posts":false,"references":false,"category":false,"theme":false,"number_of_posts":"4","style":"default"}]},"taxonomyData":{"category":[{"term_id":45,"name":"International","slug":"international","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":45,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":315,"filter":"raw"}],"post_tag":[],"post_format":[],"expression":[{"term_id":14,"name":"Portrait Article","slug":"portrait_article","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":14,"taxonomy":"expression","description":"","parent":0,"count":796,"filter":"raw"}],"translation_priority":[{"term_id":5468,"name":"Optional","slug":"optional-en","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5468,"taxonomy":"translation_priority","description":"","parent":0,"count":672,"filter":"raw"}]},"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mixcollage11apr20251016am8156-1280x640.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/99"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176108"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":176120,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176108\/revisions\/176120"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}