With a ban restricting visa issuance and entry into the U.S. in effect, USF student Arshia Esmaeilian said he is afraid his parents might not be able to see him graduate next year unless the ban is lifted.

“I didn’t really ask for this,” said Esmaeilian, a senior chemistry major. “It’s just something I have to live with and just follow through for now. ” 

Esmaeilian, 21, was born in Iran, raised in Dubai and moved to the U.S. in 2022 to pursue higher education at USF. 

But a ban issued by President Donald Trump’s administration went into effect on June 9, placing Iran among 12 countries facing a total suspension of entry, according to the presidential proclamation released on June 4.

Related: USF international students are among those losing visas

Vice president for USF World Kiki Caruson said the university does not expect the presidential proclamation to have a “significant impact” on international students.

“If an unforeseen event prevents an international student from continuing their studies in person, USF World will work with Student Success to identify a viable option for the student to continue their education,” Caruson said.

Options vary depending on the student’s circumstances and, “in many cases,” can include a transition to online learning, she said.

USF World also sent out an email on Friday outlining travel and visa guidance for the summer. It advised international students from the countries being considered for future bans to return to the U.S. before Aug. 13.

The email asked students with a valid visa stamp to “assess [their] personal travel risk” and advised those without a valid visa to get a visa appointment before finalizing travel. 

Related: USF professors worry about international students amid political pressure

Esmaeilian said he didn’t always feel connected to Iran growing up because he was only a month old when he moved to Dubai. Still, he said he takes pride in his Iranian ancestry, heritage and culture. 

He used to travel to Dubai during summer and winter breaks. Now, under the administration’s travel ban, Esmaeilian has no plans on leaving the U.S. “any time soon.”

The proclamation includes “categorical exceptions” to the travel ban for foreign nationals with nonimmigrant visas, such as those for international students.

But even with a valid student visa, Esmaeilian said traveling feels “very scary,” and worries he might not be allowed back in the U.S. to complete his education at USF.

“Even if I could go, leave and travel back, you never know,” Esmaeilian said. “In the span of a night, things could change, especially for Iranians. It’s just a big risk to take right now.”

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The U.S. Department of State also identified another 36 countries that could face similar visa restrictions on entry — including Egypt, Nigeria and Syria. 

Amy Yacoub was born in Tampa but holds Egyptian nationality through her family. She said many of her relatives still live in Egypt, although some have moved to the U.S. or Canada.

The possibility of a visa ban on Egyptian citizens is “scary,” Yacoub said.

“This makes it a whole lot worse just because now they basically have no chance of leaving [Egypt],” the senior biomedical sciences major said.

Yacoub said she is planning to visit Egypt next year after graduation and “highly doubts” the ban will affect her travel plans.

“It’s still my second home, I still feel like I need to visit as much as I can,” she said.

While Yacoub still holds some “semblance of hope” that the ban won’t affect Egypt, she said she’s using the moment to raise awareness by talking to others about the harm such bans can cause.

“If you’re coming here for a better life, you should not be limiting those people based on their nationality or based on the state of their home country,” she said. “They should be able to get the chance at a better life.”