Bangladeshi students in US gripped by anxiety, fear

As Trump took office for his second stint as the president of the United States, the country's top universities braced for obstacles, such as federal funding cuts for research. However, the breakneck speed of those cuts may have already altered many aspects of America's higher education landscape. 

According to a headline in The Guardian, by early March, there was "Chaos on campuses as schools warn Trump cuts could harm US 'for decades'". 

But that is not all. 

The Trump administration is also cracking down, with almost clinical precision, on students' freedom of speech and expression, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the US Constitution, even for international visitors. This is evident by its targeting of students who protested against Israel's attacks on Gaza and called for divestment from Israeli ties. 

Columbia University, the epicentre of the protests, recently lost $400 million in federal funding after it was cancelled by the Trump administration. Columbia alum, green card holder and a key organiser of the student protests, Mahmoud Khalil's arrest by officials in plainclothes from a university building on 8 March spread confusion, distrust and caution among students. 

This puts international students on a precarious tightrope. Reports of other arrests and detentions by ICE and/or termination of visas are emerging. 

The latest in the series is the security camera footage of an international Turkish student of Tufts University, Massachusetts, getting stopped and then detained by plainclothes ICE members on 26 March in broad daylight on her way to break her fast with friends. 

NYT reported that Tufts University was told that the student's visa had been terminated.

In light of current events, we spoke to Bangladeshis currently in the US on F1 student visas across six states — New York, California, Iowa, Virginia, North Carolina and Texas — on the condition of anonymity, to understand how things have changed under the Trump administration for them. 

Only one of the seven student visa holders we have spoken to actively participated in the pro-Palestine protests last year. 

Warnings and change in travel plans

Some universities have sent out cautionary messages. 

"The international student's office asked us to carry our legal documents when we leave town, [go] outside the university premises. That is new," said a Bangladeshi student in Virginia.  

Additionally, international students have been strongly advised against international travel. "Our university asked us not to travel. They asked us to exercise caution during travel just because of how volatile things are, and every day, there is a new country added to the list of countries he [Trump] wants to ban travel from," the student added.  

Another student at the same university in Virginia reiterated, "Our university has been repeatedly warning us that it is very risky to get out of the US now."

For a student in California, the warning came earlier. She received a letter from her university in November — after Trump won the election — advising students who were still in their home countries to return to the US before Trump took office.

At the time, she did not think much of it. "But now it makes sense. Everything feels uncertain, although I have all the legal papers," she said. 

She feels discouraged from visiting Bangladesh over her summer break, given everything that is happening. 

An alumna of a New York university, currently working on Optional Practical Training (OPT), opted not to travel to Bangladesh next month and miss out on her sister's wedding reception. "Trump is so volatile. I don't know what will be made legal or illegal," she said.  

The change in travel plans was a common feature in all these conversations. Most, if they had previously planned to exit the US — which they can legally do on a student visa — for travel to Bangladesh or otherwise, are opting to stay put instead. 

Reevaluating future in America 

Changing travel plans may seem like a minor compromise compared to what else is at stake for international students in the US. 

One of the appeals for studying in America is the legal immigration pathway to permanent residency for a student-visa holder. 

The first step is that after graduation, students are allowed to work under OPT while on a student visa. 

"To work here, I need to change my visa status. I was planning to apply for an H-1B visa, which requires sponsorship from my employer. But with so much uncertainty, everything feels unpredictable. It would be devastating if I don't secure a work visa and have to return to my country right after graduating — especially since I am financing my studies with a substantial amount of loans," explained a student residing in North Carolina. 

The student in New York added, "I have been here for so many years [she completed her undergraduate in another state, then pursued her master's in New York], I have set up a plan but I am unsure now." 

Through work, the student also comes in contact with other immigrants in the country. She not only has to manage her own anxiety, but also listen to the immigrants' anxieties regarding deportation.

Nonprofits and DEI-related programmes have also come under fire from the Trump administration. "The job market is so bad because of uncertainties." So much so that she is no longer pursuing a job switch for better pay. "No one is hiring." 

Trump has also threatened nonprofits supporting Palestinian rights with the designation of terrorist organisations. 

Because of the political climate in America, she has opted to look for immigration opportunities in Canada. "Bangladesh's political climate also impacted my decision," she added. 

"I do not think OPT extensions will be a problem, but yes, many are concerned about securing H1-B visa sponsorships," she further said. 

Permanent plans to stay in the US may be changing for many. "I am connected to all the Bangladeshi students here and their spouses too, as I am the Vice President of a student association. Yes, there is anxiety," said the student based in Iowa. 

One of the students in Virginia echoed the same sentiment. "Many I have spoken to [not only Bangladeshis] who have applied for a green card are worried. It will likely take more time, more paperwork.

"I am also nervous about renewing my visa. Hopefully, it should be fine. But like I said, you just don't know what is going on anymore," she said. But this Virginia student has not been deterred from her plan to work under OPT after graduation.  

The feeling of uncertainty and anxiety was common among all except a student in Texas. "I am in the process of applying for my green card," he said, adding, "I have been assured by my attorney that there is nothing to worry about."

Then there are the science and research fund cuts.

A PhD candidate in the STEM programme at a university in Virginia reiterated. "I think, in general, the university is struggling with it [fund cuts and unpredictability]."

She pointed at fewer enrolments for the upcoming Fall semester compared to the past, applicants finding it harder to secure funding for PhD programmes and professors unsure of what they can offer. 

Another Virginia-based student said, "My labmates, friends and advisor have been to protests such as Stand Up for Science as so much of science funding has been cut without any proper reasoning. My international friends and I strongly support it, but we have not been able to show our support by going there in person or on social media." 

She continued, "Our freedom of expression has been curbed, and we don't feel that we have the same rights as someone else while inside the US, such as the first amendment, which the constitution guarantees."

Beyond the campus, things are worse. 

She continued, "It's daunting to realise so many people here [Trump voters] do not want people like me to be here. As a woman and person of colour [PoC], I am much more conscious in public since it is absolutely unpredictable to know how to react if I come across a MAGA supporter. Thankfully, I have not faced anything personally yet, but I am very anxious, especially because the hate against POCs has been so normalised."

The student pointed out that the White Supremacists Rally of 2017 took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, when Trump took office in his first term. "I am deeply conscious about not saying anything political around people I don't know or acquaintances." 

Do students feel free to express their opinions in America?

In light of the crackdown on student protests and opinions that go against Trump's foreign policy on Palestine, many are taking stock of their social media presence.

The Iowa student said, "Since arriving in the US in 2023, I have never found myself becoming cautious about my social media presence, particularly when discussing sensitive or politically charged topics like Palestine." 

But things changed last year. 

"However, the recent wave of student protests across the country, particularly at Columbia University in 2024, has heightened awareness of potential repercussions for expressing political viewpoints online. While I do feel free to express my opinions, I am mindful of how my statements might be perceived, especially considering my status as an international student," the student added. 

While she explained how her institution encourages freedom of expression, she pointed to the extent of the Trump administration's influence on international students. 

"It has also led many of us to be more cautious about how we present ourselves online, knowing that our digital presence could potentially impact our immigration status or future opportunities," the student added. 

Others have expressed strong opinions. 

"I am significantly more cautious than before. I have removed the watermelon sign from my Instagram bio, I don't even react or like Palestine-related posts anymore. I am even scared to donate to Gaza anonymously," said a Virginia-based student. 

"The people they have caught and deported, even those with a green card — I am nobody compared to that. I believe it is a matter of luck, and it can happen to any of us, anytime, despite trying our best to do everything right," she added.  

Another student in Virginia said while she does not have much social media presence anyway, she has felt like she should be careful about who she follows or messages since "customs are now apparently checking phones at the border". 

"[Also], it is unwise for international students to be seen at protests," she added. 

"I absolutely do not feel safe," said the New York-based student in a text, adding, "Honestly, I do not even feel comfortable talking about this over chat anymore." 

Kaniz Supriya contributed to this story.