Romance author Ali Hazelwood has canceled her U.K. book tour over concerns that she might not be able to return to her home in the United States, USA Today reports.
Hazelwood, who was born and raised in Italy and moved to the U.S. to attend graduate school, made the announcement on Instagram, writing, “This is because of several complicated reasons that mostly boil down to the fact that, things being what they are, it’s not possible for me to safely travel outside and then back inside the US.”
Hazelwood worked as a neuroscience professor before making her literary debut in 2021 with the novel The Love Hypothesis. Several other STEM-themed romances followed, including Love on the Brain; Love, Theoretically; and Not in Love. Her latest novel, Deep End, was published in February; she had been scheduled to make appearances in the U.K. to promote it.
President Donald Trump’s administration is currently engaged in a mass deportation that has at times targeted legal immigrants and permanent U.S. residents. USA Today reports that it is unclear whether Hazelwood is a citizen or a green card holder; her publisher, Penguin Random House, declined to comment on her status.
“I know you’re probably disappointed, and believe me, it’s really disappointing for me, too,” Hazelwood wrote. “Believe me, this is not a decision I made lightly.…All I can say is: I hope things change quickly, I hope to be able to travel abroad soon, and I am deeply thankful for your support and your understanding.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
