Trump Travel Ban Blocks Thousands International Students Across 19 Countries

President Donald Trump's travel ban has significantly disrupted the educational aspirations of thousands of international students from 19 affected countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Myanmar. Bahara Saghari, a 21-year-old Afghan woman barred from attending college by the Taliban, exemplifies this impact, having had her plans to study business administration in Illinois derailed despite years of preparation. The administration's slowed visa processing and stricter immigration enforcement have caused many admitted students to either postpone or reconsider their plans to study in the U.S. While the United States remains a preferred destination for its research opportunities, students like Pouya Karami from Iran are facing mounting obstacles. Some affected students are now exploring alternative education options in Europe due to the travel ban's constraints. This situation highlights the broader challenges imposed by restrictive policies on global academic mobility and the futures of aspiring scholars.