'It's not worth the risk': Middle East students put US dreams on hold amid Trump visa crackdown

Young people who have places at leading US universities fear they will not be allowed to enter the country

Demonstrators protest against plans to bar foreign students from Harvard. The Ivy League university has found itself at the eye of a storm from Washington. EPA

Young people in the Middle East have spoken of their fears after the US government decided to freeze overseas student interviews and plan to begin vetting their social media accounts.

The directive signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sent to diplomatic and consular posts halts interview appointments at US universities.

The move was announced only days after the US took steps to bar foreign students from Harvard University as part of a campaign against some higher education institutions.

The Trump administration said Harvard has not done enough to fight against anti-Semitism and change its admissions practices – allegations the university has strongly denied.

Consular officers have, since March, had to conduct mandatory social media reviews looking for evidence of support for “terrorist activity or a terrorist organisation”, which could be as broad as showing support for the Palestinian cause, The Guardian reported, quoting a State Department message.

In 2023-2024, the US hosted a record high of 1.1 million international students. About 90,000 are from the Arab World, according to estimates.

Students left in limbo

For Noor, a 20-year-old Syrian student accepted into a Ivy League university, the moment she received her US visa should have been a triumph. Instead, it has left her sick with anxiety.

"I got my visa last week, but what if it gets revoked? Even if it doesn’t, I’m scared I might not be allowed into the States," she told The National.

The student still believes the US will provide her with the best opportunity to pursue her academic ambitions.

"Despite everything, I still believe going to the US is my best option,” said Noor. "As a Syrian, I need a full scholarship – and that's hard to find elsewhere.”

She is well aware, however, of the challenges she and fellow students in the region must overcome to study in the US.

"There's a real fear among Mena students that their identity could work against them,” she said. "I've even avoided posting anything political, especially about Palestine. Once we're in the US, we won't be able to speak freely. People are being arrested for what they post."

Swapping US for Finland

Arjun Menon Tiwari, 17, who has lived most of his life in Abu Dhabi, was accepted into US universities including NYU, UNC Chapel Hill and Boston University. But he has made the difficult decision to walk away.

"With the new Trump administration, a lot of student visas are being taken away,” he said. "If I'm not able to stay long enough to complete my degree and find a job, then it's not worth the risk.”

Arjun has instead chosen to study computer science at the University of Helsinki in Finland, favouring not only the country's high-quality education but also its reputation for happiness, safety and long-term opportunity.

Arjun Menon Tiwari has abandoned his dreams of moving to the US to study. Photo: Arjun Menon Tiwari

"It was disappointing to let go of a dream, but in hindsight, it feels like the best decision.

"Europe feels more stable. There's less risk, and the opportunities are still world-class. You have to think long term, not just about getting in, but what happens after.”

Aisha Almekhlafi, a 21-year-old psychology graduate from UAE University, faces a nerve-racking wait before finding out where her future lies. She was accepted into a master's programme at NYU starting in September, but is still to receive her visa.

"It's been really stressful,” she said. "Everything depends on getting that visa – my travel, my housing, even my mental focus. A colleague of mine had her visa rejected and lost an entire term. That fear is always there.”

The timing has upset the plans for thousands of students, particularly from those from regions already under tight scrutiny.

One parent, with a daughter set to return to study in the US after the summer, told The National that she will have to wipe all social media posts and WhatsApp messages before returning. Her daughter is frequently asked, on returning to the US from the UAE, why she spends so much time in the Middle East, she added.

Anxiety grows with uncertainty

At UniHawk, a UAE-based university counselling firm supporting hundreds of US-bound applications, the mood has darkened.

"Even those who've already secured their visas and booked accommodation are now asking if they should proceed,” said Varun Jain, chief executive of UniHawk. "There's considerable anxiety, especially among students with upcoming embassy appointments.”

In response, Mr Jain said his team was encouraging students to keep their options open. "We always advise strong backup plans – the UK, Canada, UAE, Australia or Europe," he added. "Even those admitted to their dream universities are now actively considering alternatives, not out of doubt in their choice, but out of precaution.”

Mr Jain said students can still apply to top universities in the UK through UCAS Clearing, or directly to institutions in Ireland, Europe and Australia. Many top-tier Australian universities – often referred to as the Group of Eight – are still accepting applications.

For some, enrolling in a university in the UAE for their first year and transferring later to the US when the situation stabilises is a practical strategy.