In a bold move, Shajeea Khalid, a Pakistani climate activist and scholar, has withdrawn her acceptance of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, citing fears over the Trump administration’s anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant policies. In a candid LinkedIn post, Khalid explained her decision to decline admission offers from elite U.S. institutions, including Harvard, Columbia, and Indiana Bloomington, highlighting the ethical and personal conflicts that led her to stay in Pakistan.
A Stand Against Hostility
Khalid’s decision reflects growing concerns among international students from Muslim-majority countries about studying in the U.S. under the current administration. “I found myself spiraling into daily anxiety attacks, weighed down by the fear of navigating a country where government policies are currently targeting immigrants and Muslims,” she wrote on LinkedIn. Her choice comes in the wake of policies like the June 2025 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which allowed the Trump administration to deport immigrants to third countries like South Sudan without prior notice, raising humanitarian concerns.
The administration’s revocation of 300 student visas in 2025, targeting those involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests, has further heightened fears about free speech and safety for Muslim and immigrant students. Khalid’s withdrawal is a powerful statement against this climate of hostility.
Navigating Personal and Global Challenges
Khalid’s LinkedIn post paints a vivid picture of life in Pakistan, where currency depreciation, poverty, and climate risks are compounded by recent tensions, such as Indian drones flying over her city. Despite these challenges, she chose to prioritize her mental health and ethical stance over the opportunity to study abroad. “Global tensions — and the role institutions can play in amplifying them — made me question where I want to build the next chapter of my education,” she wrote.
As a first-generation student who benefited from a 100% merit scholarship at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Khalid understands the transformative power of education. Yet, she encourages young Pakistanis to “pause and reevaluate” their paths, even amidst societal pressure to pursue opportunities abroad. Her message resonates with a generation shaped by survival rather than hope.
Commitment to Pakistan’s Future
Instead of pursuing graduate studies in the U.S., Khalid is channeling her energy into impactful work in Pakistan. She is accelerating funding for climate action projects and running a consultancy that supports feminist organizations in the Global South with digital and outreach solutions. Additionally, she conducts pro bono public speaking workshops for NGOs, activist communities, orphanages, and low-income schools. “Alhamdulillah, life is full, and I’m learning every day,” she wrote, affirming her commitment to social change.
A Broader Climate of Fear
Khalid’s decision mirrors broader concerns about anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. A 2024 Gallup poll found that 55% of Americans favor reducing immigration levels, with 88% of Republicans supporting this view Gallup, 2024. The Trump administration’s policies, including mass deportation plans and the appointment of Tom Homan as border czar, have fueled this sentiment SPLC, 2025.
The Fulbright program has also faced challenges under the Trump administration. In June 2025, all but one member of the Fulbright scholarship board resigned in protest of increased oversight, particularly concerns about “anti-American attitudes” among scholars like Hasan Ayoub, who cut short his 2023–2024 Fulbright scholarship over U.S. policies in Gaza.
Symbolic Irony and Political Polarization
The irony of anti-immigrant policies was highlighted in June 2025 when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented President Trump with a gold-framed copy of his grandfather’s birth certificate, underscoring Trump’s immigrant roots. This gesture contrasts with policies like the Supreme Court’s deportation ruling, which has drawn criticism for risking deportees’ safety.
Immigrant-background politicians like Zohran Mamdani, a Ugandan-born New York Assembly member, face similar hostility. Mamdani, who advocates for sanctuary cities, has endured Islamophobic attacks, including from Trump, who called him a “Communist Lunatic”. Khalid’s decision reflects the same polarized climate affecting these figures.
Impact on Muslim and Immigrant Students
Khalid’s withdrawal underscores the broader impact of U.S. policies on Muslim and immigrant students. A UCLA study found that anti-immigrant rhetoric doubled psychological distress among recent immigrants from 2015 to 2021 UCLA, 2023. The detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate, by ICE in March 2025 for his role in pro-Palestinian protests further illustrates these risks BBC News, 2025. Such incidents highlight the challenges Khalid anticipated in the U.S.
A Message of Empowerment
Khalid’s message to young Pakistanis is one of empowerment: “It’s okay to take your time.” Her decision to stay and contribute to Pakistan’s climate and feminist movements is a testament to her resilience. As she continues her work, Khalid’s story inspires others to navigate global challenges with agency and purpose.
