As federal visa policies shift and delay through immigration systems, international students at the University of Rhode Island are facing uncertainty, and some prospective students deferred enrollment.
In 2024, international students faced challenges due to delays in visa processing stemming from executive orders under the Trump administration, according to a report by The Boston Globe. At Brown University, 15 students had their visas revoked, raising concerns across the academic community.
Melissa De Jesus, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars at URI, said that the delays caused students to defer enrollment.
“We did see a difference with the Iranian student community, where most students already in the U.S. remained enrolled, but new students from those countries were fewer,” De Jesus said.
Kristin Johnson, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, said the university has not observed a significant shift in the geographic composition of its international students.
“Our international population is broadly distributed, so while the visa restrictions have impacted students from certain countries affected by federal prohibitions, the overall makeup remains stable,” Johnson said. “We’re not seeing the same dramatic shifts experienced by institutions with larger student populations from countries like China or India.”
Concerns about visa revocations have prompted outreach efforts by the URI Office of International Students and Scholars, according to Johnson.
“When these federal actions surfaced, we received inquiries from students and families worried about their visa status,” De Jesus said.
Fears have been widespread, but to date, no international students at URI have had their visas revoked, according to De Jesus.
In response to international students’ worries, URI has expanded communication and support services to students.
Advisors have hosted open office hours in several academic departments and held one-on-one advising sessions to address questions about the risk of international travel, according to De Jesus.
“What we want is for students to make appointments with someone who can look at their specific case,” De Jesus said. “That way we can address the unique circumstances that apply to them.”
Acknowledging the complications of visa rules, Johnson advised caution when seeking information.
“Visa eligibility varies widely depending on the type of visa, the program of study and even family circumstances,” Johnson said. “Every case is different, and we encourage students and faculty to reach out directly rather than rely on rumors or unofficial sources.”
Both Johnson and De Jesus said that while the university’s enrollment numbers have not declined significantly, the area of uncertainty has added stress for students and their families.
Immigration used to be a relatively stable process, but recent federal actions have created what Johnson described as “an unprecedented period of rapid change.”
“It takes courage to study abroad, and adding uncertainty about visas makes that process harder for students and their families,” Johnson said. “Even when students are not personally affected, the anxiety around whether a sudden change could impact them creates a shadow over their experience.”
The International Students and Scholars Office will keep updating its website with the latest federal and state information, according to De Jesus.
“We want students to come to us, not panic based on what they read online,” De Jesus said. “Our goal is to be as proactive and transparent as possible.”
University officials said URI remains committed to supporting its international community as federal policy evolves, according to De Jesus.
