To journalists from repressive countries, the U.S. is feeling more and more like home

Luz Mely Reyes, a reporter at the International Center for Journalists, is experiencing a troubling shift in her safety as a foreign journalist in the U. S. , where self-censorship is becoming the norm. Previously, she followed similar precautions in Venezuela, but now, the fear of repercussions has resurfaced in America. Many journalists express concerns about speaking out against the government, which has intensified since President Trump's administration started revoking over 1,300 student visas without clear justification.

This raises significant alarms about the safety of international journalists who once viewed the U. S. as a haven for press freedom. With reports of heightened immigration enforcement and arrests, such as that of Rumeysa Ozturk at Tufts University for her activism, the atmosphere has become increasingly fraught. Journalists fear that their voices are being stifled, and the spaces for free expression are shrinking.

James Wheaton, a law lecturer, notes that students are voicing their concerns about feeling unsafe in the U. S. , echoing sentiments from their home countries. This article underscores the growing anxiety among foreign journalists regarding their safety and the implications of immigration policies on press freedom.