Afghan Student Bahara Sagari’s American Dream Shattered by Travel Bans, Impacting Thousands of Aspiring Scholars from Affected Regions

After the Taliban stopped girls from attending college in Afghanistan, a young woman named Bahra Sagari decided to pursue her education in America. Bahra, who is 21 years old, worked hard on her English for eight hours a day over several years. She finally got an offer to study business administration at a college in Illinois, hoping to move to America this year.

However, Bahra’s plans were disrupted again by President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Many students, including Bahra, feel frustrated as they have invested a lot of time and money to study abroad, only to face hurdles. The travel ban affects citizens from 19 countries, leading to delays in visa processing and making many reconsider their plans to study in the US.

Students are facing the hardest impact of these travel restrictions. Last year, over 5,700 F-1 and J-1 visas were granted to people from the affected countries. Most of these visas went to citizens from Iran and Myanmar. Complete travel restrictions are in place for citizens from 12 countries in Africa, Asia, West Asia, and the Caribbean, making it difficult for them to get visas.

Here are some key points to note:

• Travel bans are affecting thousands of students globally.
• Visa processing delays are common for students from restricted countries.
• Some groups, like green card holders and certain athletes, are exempt from these bans.
• Strict sanctions on student visas also apply to seven other countries.
• Students are reevaluating their options due to the uncertainty.

As the situation evolves, students and their families are waiting to see how the travel policies will change. Many are hopeful for a resolution that will allow them to fulfill their educational dreams in the United States.