Keywords

Immigration; Securitization; International Students; United States; HB1 visa

Abstract

This study examines the securitization of international students within the broader transformation of United States immigration policy from the post-9/11 era to the present administration. Following the September 11 attacks, immigration governance was increasingly reorganized under a national security framework, significantly altering the regulatory environment surrounding student visas. Subsequent policy shifts have intensified monitoring mechanisms and administrative controls that directly shape international students’ access to education and mobility. Given the sensitivity of immigration-related participation in the current political climate, this research employs qualitative policy analysis rather than direct student surveys. Under the Trump administration, this securitization intensified through stricter visa vetting, increased revocations, and policy proposals aimed at limiting the duration of status, reflecting a broader effort to restrict immigration under the justification of national security. By focusing on federal law, administrative guidance, and existing scholarships, the study evaluates how contemporary immigration governance structures opportunity, stability, and equity for international students. The findings suggest that heightened surveillance, administrative complexity, and policy instability function as structural barriers to educational equity. Rather than merely regulating entry and status compliance, contemporary immigration governance shapes institutional funding models, research capacity, and workforce development pipelines within U.S. higher education. By linking securitization theory to higher education policy, this research demonstrates how immigration frameworks extend beyond border control and operate as mechanisms that structure opportunity, access, and mobility for international students.

Thesis Completion Year

2026

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Jewett, Aubrey

College

College of Sciences

Department

School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs

Thesis Discipline

Political Science

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Download

Share

COinS
 

Accessibility Statement

This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2027, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.