Since June 9, 2025, President Trump has reinstated a sweeping travel ban. It bars entry to U.S. visas for people from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Yemen. Another seven countries—like Cuba, Venezuela, and Laos—are facing partial restrictions on tourist, student, and exchange visas.
The ban targets anyone outside the U.S. without a valid visa issued before June 9. If someone already holds a valid visa or a green card, they are not affected. Dual nationals can still enter using a passport from a non-banned country.
This includes student visas. Nationals from banned countries cannot get new F‑1 or M‑1 student visas, and those already approved cannot enter, although current visa holders inside the U.S. aren’t forced out.
Additionally, Trump issued a separate order targeting Harvard University, suspending new visa entries for nearly six months. It also allows the State Department to review the visas of current international students, citing security concerns and alleged foreign influence.
In response, Harvard has filed lawsuits, arguing the ban is illegal. Some top schools are partnering with Canadian universities, like Toronto, to offer displaced students a temporary place to study.
Critics—including education experts, economic researchers, and refugee advocates—warn the policy could damage the U.S. reputation, reduce international student numbers, cut billions in economic benefits, and hurt global ties .
At the same time, the administration is considering extending the ban to 36 more countries, based on concerns such as weak data sharing or high visa overstay rates.
Summary: The new travel ban blocks new visas from 19 nations, including student visas, and targets Harvard. It follows legal challenges and pushback from universities. U.S. officials are even exploring expansion to dozens more countries. International students are now facing deep uncertainty.
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Time Left: 15 seconds
1. When did Trump announce the new travel ban?
May 20, 2025
June 9, 2025
July 4, 2025
April 1, 2025
2. How many countries are fully banned under the new order?
6
12
18
24
3. Who is not affected by the new travel ban?
New visa applicants
Current visa holders and green card holders
Tourists from banned countries
All Harvard students
4. Which major university is specifically targeted in a separate order?
Harvard University
Yale University
MIT
Stanford
5. What type of visas can students from banned countries no longer get?
B-2 (Tourist)
J-1 (Exchange)
F-1 and M-1 (Student)
H-1B (Work)
6. What reason did the government give for reviewing student visas?
Low test scores
Security concerns and alleged foreign influence
Visa overstay
Tuition fraud
7. How are some U.S. universities helping affected students?
Waiving tuition
Partnering with Canadian universities for temporary study
Sending students home
No action taken
8. What is a possible future step being considered by the Trump administration?
Lowering student fees
Expanding the ban to 36 more countries
Increasing scholarships
Allowing remote study for all
9. What economic impact could the ban have?
Billions lost from international student spending
No change
Tuition fees increase
U.S. colleges profit more
10. Who is warning that the ban could harm the U.S. reputation?
Only politicians
Education experts, economists, and advocates
Only Harvard staff
No one
11. Who can still enter the U.S. if they have two passports?
Only U.S. citizens
Dual nationals using a passport from a non-banned country
No one
International tourists only
12. What did Harvard do in response to the new rules?
Expelled international students
Nothing
Filed lawsuits against the government
Closed the campus
Many students and families around the world are now worried about their plans to study in the United States. Before this travel ban, the U.S. was the top choice for international students, offering world-class education, job opportunities, and a multicultural environment. But now, thousands of students are rethinking their options. Many are turning to Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries that are welcoming and have fewer travel restrictions.
Universities in the U.S. are also feeling the impact. International students bring fresh ideas, energy, and billions of dollars every year. Without them, many programs may have to cut back or raise tuition for everyone. Local businesses, like housing, restaurants, and shops, will also lose customers, especially in college towns.
Some experts worry the ban will create long-term damage to America’s reputation as a global leader in education. They say that the best and brightest students might choose to go elsewhere, taking their talents and future innovations with them. Some American students may also lose the chance to learn from classmates from around the world.
As the situation unfolds, everyone is waiting to see if these restrictions will be lifted, challenged in court, or made permanent. For now, the future of international study in the U.S. is more uncertain than ever.
🎒 Will you choose the right path if you were an international student facing tough new U.S. rules?
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Time Left: 15 seconds
1. What are many students and families now worried about?
Their plans to study in the U.S.
Losing passports
Online learning
Finding housing
2. Which country was the top choice for international students before the ban?
Canada
Australia
United States
Germany
3. What are many students considering as other options?
Canada, UK, and Australia
South America
Africa
Antarctica
4. Why are U.S. universities worried?
Less sports events
International students bring new ideas and money
Too many professors
No more online classes
5. What might happen to programs if international student numbers drop?
Programs may be cut or tuition raised
More sports
Lower rent
Shorter semesters
6. Which businesses could lose customers?
Housing, restaurants, and shops
Banks only
Factories only
Airlines only
7. What is a long-term worry about the travel ban?
America's reputation as an education leader may suffer
More parties on campus
Extra parking spaces
Too many students
8. What might the best and brightest students do because of the ban?
Choose to go to other countries
Stay in the U.S. anyway
Stop studying
Become teachers
9. Who else might be affected besides international students?
American students
Only professors
Only government staff
Only families
10. Why might American students be affected?
They may lose the chance to learn from classmates from around the world
No cafeteria food
Shorter holidays
Free books
11. What is everyone waiting to see?
If the restrictions will be lifted, challenged, or made permanent
If exams will be easier
If food will get cheaper
If sports will return
12. What is the current feeling about the future of international study in the U.S.?
Very clear and bright
Uncertain
Very safe
Completely closed
With so much uncertainty, many international students and their families are now carefully watching the news and government announcements. Some are delaying their plans, hoping that the rules will change soon. Others are choosing to start their studies in another country or even online. Many universities are offering extra support and advice for students who feel anxious or confused. At the same time, business owners, educators, and community leaders are urging the government to find a solution that keeps the U.S. open to talented students from around the world. For now, everyone hopes for clearer, fairer policies in the near future.
🔎 Can you spot how uncertainty and hope are shaping the future for global students and universities?
📢 Find out what families, schools, and leaders are hoping for next!
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Time Left: 15 seconds
1. Why are many students watching the news closely?
To know about rule changes
For sports updates
To see new movies
For weather reports
2. What are some families hoping for?
That the rules will change soon
Longer holidays
More online classes
Lower rent
3. What are some students doing with their study plans?
Delaying them
Speeding up graduation
Dropping out
Becoming teachers
4. Where are some students starting their studies?
In another country or online
In elementary school
At home only
In sports camps
5. What feelings do many students have now?
Anxious or confused
Very relaxed
Angry only
Excited for parties
6. What are many universities doing for students?
Offering extra support and advice
Closing down
Giving free food
Building new gyms
7. Who else is urging the government for a solution?
Business owners, educators, and community leaders
Only movie stars
Taxi drivers only
Children
8. What do these groups want from the government?
A solution that keeps the U.S. open to talented students
More holidays
Lower taxes
Longer classes
9. Why are universities offering extra help?
To help students who feel anxious or confused
To teach new sports
For a music festival
Because of the weather
10. What are some students doing while they wait for changes?
Delaying plans or studying online
Moving to a new city
Starting new businesses
Becoming chefs
11. What is everyone hoping for in the future?
Clearer and fairer policies
Free laptops
Shorter semesters
Less homework
12. Who could benefit if the rules become clearer and fairer?
Students, families, and universities
Only tourists
Just athletes
Only shop owners
