USF’s Office of International Services sent a newsletter earlier this month advising students to “assess [their] personal risk” when traveling to and from the U.S.

“There is much discussion of immigration in the news. At this time, there are no changes to regulations connected to students in the U.S. using student visas,” the newsletter said. 

President Donald Trump’s administration signed an executive order on Jan. 20 to begin implementing travel restrictions on foreign countries.

In fall 2024, 5,401 international students were enrolled at USF, making up 12% of the student body, according to the USF Office of International Services demographics page.

Out of the top ten countries for fall enrollment, four of them are on the lists for travel restrictions. Bangladesh, Venezuela, Pakistan and Egypt accounted for a combined total of 589 international students last fall, and are set to face travel restrictions this year under the Trump administration.

The Office of International Services newsletter also advised students about what they should expect at the port of entry, which is where a person enters a country. Along with travel documents, students may be asked to show proof of “continued studies” at USF and their electronic devices may be searched.

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Some international students at USF are concerned about what that could mean for their travel plans.

Saksham Srivastava, an international student from India, said he will “avoid” going home this summer even though his home country isn’t set to receive travel bans. 

“I wouldn’t want to risk a two-year degree just ‘cause I want to go back. I’m scared,” said Srivastava, a sophomore computer engineering major. 

Although travel restrictions were expected to launch by March 21, the deadline for their implementation “no longer applies,” said Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State. 

A new timeline for the order has not been clarified, but the Trump administration still plans to execute the order. 

A New York Times article from March 14 reported that Trump has already drafted a list of 43 countries that would be affected by travel restrictions. 

The draft sorts countries into three lists: red, orange or yellow, each with different requirements for entering the U.S. 

The New York Times article said the red list is set to place a total ban on 11 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran and Venezuela, meaning visa applications would be entirely denied. It is still unclear whether this will result in the revocation of student visas or not once the policy is enacted.

The orange list is made up of 10 countries, including Russia and Pakistan, and would entail partial visa restrictions and increased travel scrutiny, according to the article.

Citizens of the 22 countries on the yellow list, including Bangladesh, Egypt and Lebanon, would have to go through screening and vetting processes to determine risks within a 60-day period, according to the article. 

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Farhan Khan is an international student from Bangladesh, a country on the drafted yellow list. He said the impending travel restrictions are concerning students.

“A lot of students are scared to go back home, even if their country isn’t on any lists,” said Khan, a junior computer science major.

Khan said reasons for staying in the U.S. vary among international students, but “most” of them are staying in the country out of fear. 

“Personally, it’s just academic,” Khan said. “But that’s not the case for most people, they are speculating that they will face problems if they return home right now.” 

Le Nguyen is an international student from Vietnam and a sophomore in civil engineering at USF.

Nguyen is less concerned about the travel restrictions because Vietnam is not expected to be on the lists for travel restrictions.

“There’s some anxiety, because you have to bring all your documents back and forth,” Nguyen said. “But I’m still going home this summer.”

Nguyen said she has “gotten used” to travel procedures, but understands other students’ worries when leaving and reentering the U.S.

“Once you go through it a few times you get used to it,” Nguyen said. “I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

But Srivastava is not feeling as optimistic about the upcoming travel restrictions.

Srivastava said he believes no matter where international students are from, they will “suffer” under the treatment of immigration officers meant to enforce the policy.

“The new administration has created panic among [international students],” Srivastava said.