J-1 students have been warned there has been a “massive increase” in the number of student visas revoked since the return of Donald Trump to power. 

The end of the academic year means thousands of J-1 students are preparing to head to America. 

However, while Joe Biden famously had a soft spot for the Irish, the new US administration has adopted a decidedly more hardline approach. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, immigration lawyer Louise Corrigan said J-1ers while the rules have not changed, they should still exercise caution. 

“The difference is the risks have changed for those who are in the US on visas now,” she said. 

“If a US citizen engages in certain activities, he or she will be treated differently to someone who is there on a visa.

“There’s been a massive increase in the number of student visas revoked in recent months. 

“The basis for these revocations that’s been given is that there’s a perceived threat to national security or something that was contrary to US interests.” 

Statue of Liberty in New York City. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Ms Corrigan added that people need to, “Just be aware” - particularly when they first travel to America. 

“We’re seeing enhanced vetting at the ports of entry,” she said. 

“It’s just a different interpretation of those laws.” 

Ireland is different to most other countries in the world because the Dublin and Shannon Airports have US Preclearance on site. 

It means travellers are given permission to enter the United States - or told they are not welcome in America - before they fly out of Ireland. 

“If anything happens, you just get turned around and you can go home,” Ms Corrigan said. 

“We’re lucky to be one of the few countries where we have preclearance. 

“So, you’re not going to find yourself on US soil and then in detention, so the risk of detention falls away. 

“But on the US side, there’s an extra degree of caution that should be exercised and to be really aware of the terms of the visa, understand how the programme works. 

“There is an ongoing monitoring process.” 

Legal advice

While a number of foreign students and visitors to the US have been detained by immigration officers, Ms Corrigan said these are the exception to the rule. 

“If there’s no issue, if you’ve never had an immigration violation or an issue with getting a visa before or any contact with the criminal justice system, there’s no reason to believe you won’t get through fine,” she said. 

Ms Corrigan added that if you are worried that something in your past might be flagged by US officials, she said it is worth talking to an immigration lawyer before you leave.

Main image: Donald Trump. Picture by: Alamy.com.