Visa stop for student exchange: worries about stays abroad in NRW!

Visa stop for student exchange: worries about stays abroad in NRW!

Siegburg, Deutschland - Uncertainty among young people who are planning to stay abroad in the United States is increasing. The Trump government has decided not to award a visa for student exchange, study visits or au pair programs for the time being. The reason for this decision is stricter reviews of the social media accounts of visa applicants, with a special focus on pro-Palestinian statements. This measure has consequences, especially for students and students from North Rhine-Westphalia and worldwide that have already made concrete plans. [WDR] reports that the US government claims that anti-Semitism is widespread at US universities, but does not provide any evidence.

A student named Angelina from the Siegburg vocational college recently expressed her concerns about her planned trips to the USA. With the aim of studying in the United States after graduating from high school, she has already booked an internship in one month. However, the application for the ESTA travel permit for your short stay is still pending. WDR points out that the US authorities have not published any detailed regulations on the currently applicable Visa stop, which creates additional uncertainty.

reactions and instructions from the US government

as [Tagesschau] reports, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed the messages and consulates to initially not make new appointments for applicants for student and exchange visa. This instruction aims to expand the applicants' statements on social networks before entering their entry. Basically, the visas of categories F, M and J are affected for students, exchange students and au pairs. The spokeswoman for the US State Department, Tammy Bruce, also commented on the seriousness of these checks to ensure that entry-travelers understand the laws and do not pursue any criminal intentions.

Nevertheless, existing visas for already approved programs remain valid. Constanze Sietz from TravelWorks emphasizes that the visa process itself has not been completely suspended. However, it recommends checking the social media posts, especially those who have a reference to Israel and the Middle East conflict. Exchange organizations therefore sensitize pupils and students to their online presence. Despite the uncertainties, some students have already changed their travel plans and tend to go to targets in Europe or Canada.

Difficulties in rescheduling

A change of travel country is often a significant challenge, since many students have already built personal ties to host families and schools in the USA. SIETZ is currently no reason to actively advise a change because many still hope for clarifying the situation.

The measures of the US government not only promote an atmosphere of fear among international students, but also raises questions about freedom of expression and the rights of students. Earlier statements by US government employees indicate that even the owners of student visa and green cards have to expect deportations due to pro-Palestinian support. For example, a Turkish student of Tufts University was kept in deportation for over six weeks after criticizing the university's attitude to the Gaza conflict. The dispute between the Trump government and top-class institutions such as Harvard shows how sharply the debate about pro-Palestinian demonstrations is led.