A new report has revealed that overwhelming numbers of international students studying in the United States are deeply anxious about their visa status, citing instability, fear of enforcement actions, and limited institutional backing on campuses.
The findings come from a study released on December 10 by the civil rights group Stop AAPI Hate. According to the report, 90 per cent of surveyed international students said they feel worried or uncertain about their ability to remain in the U.S., with concerns ranging from detention and deportation to interruptions in their education.
The research notes that nearly three-quarters of international students in the U.S. originate from Asian countries, with India and China accounting for the largest share. Responses were collected from students across 36 universities, revealing widespread emotional distress, a diminished sense of belonging, and heightened fears of monitoring and surveillance. Alarmingly, only 4 per cent of respondents reported feeling “very” or “extremely” safe.
Several students shared deeply troubling personal experiences. One respondent said they feared being “taken by immigration authorities without due process, disappearing into detention, and losing access to medical care.” Another said they routinely delete social media posts to avoid attention, adding, “I believed I had the freedom to speak when I came to the U.S.”
Many students expressed growing disillusionment with studying in America. One participant said the country no longer feels welcoming and no longer represents opportunity, while another warned future applicants bluntly: “Don’t come—run.”
The report also found that fear has reshaped students’ everyday behaviour. About 86 per cent said they now limit their online activity, 88 per cent reported feeling disconnected from campus life, and 81 per cent said the stress has negatively affected their physical or mental health.
Support from universities was found to be uneven. While most students acknowledged access to counselling services (78 per cent), visa-related assistance (77 per cent), and official communication (67 per cent), critical gaps remain. Just 38 per cent said legal support was available, and fewer than half received adequate guidance on meeting academic requirements.
Additionally, between 14 and 37 per cent of respondents said they were unsure whether essential services even existed at their institutions, highlighting serious communication shortcomings.
Stop AAPI Hate linked the findings to recent federal developments, including visa cancellations tied to political expression, sudden shifts in immigration policy, and intensified scrutiny of non-white immigrants.
“The data shows international students are living under constant stress, with uncertainty touching nearly every part of their daily lives,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of the AAPI Equity Alliance. She described the situation as part of a wider anti-immigration approach, referencing the suspension of immigration applications from 19 non-European nations.
Stephanie Chan, director of data and research at Stop AAPI Hate, said the results make it clear that colleges and universities are failing to adequately safeguard international students. She added that fear of retaliation and limited transparency have worsened information gaps.
The report aims to encourage institutions to strengthen mental health resources, expand access to legal aid, and develop targeted support systems to better address the challenges international students face.
