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By Kendall Westgate, WestgateK@Findlay.edu
After President Donald Trump took office, he signed multiple executive orders about immigration policies, which can affect students who travel internationally to study at U.S. colleges.
University of Findlay Director of International Admissions Kathy Patton says they are navigating the challenges and says UF made some changes to the process of accepting international students.
“As visa delays and denials had already been a challenge over the past few years, UF has recently extended the period that an international applicant can defer their admission from one year to two years,” Patton said. “We will continue to work with and support our international applicants as they navigate the visa process.”
Visa processing delays may lead to longer processing times for student visas, according to Reuters.
“It is important to note that our international students come here legally under an F-1 visa. One new order has called for enhanced vetting and screening during visa issuance.” Patton said. “This has the potential to lead to increased delays or denials.”
An F-1 visa means the student must be enrolled full-time in an academic program that’s approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program with sufficient funds to cover their living and educational expenses, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“The U.S. has issued between 300,000 and 500,000 F visas, the most common type of student visa, every year since 2007,” according to Reuters.
“This order, as well as some provisions in the recently passed Laken Riley Act, also has the potential to block the issuance of U.S. visas to countries that are deemed uncooperative or adversarial to the United States,” Patton said.
The Laken Riley Act is a U.S. law that mandates the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain non-U.S. nationals who have been charged with, arrested for, or convicted of specific crimes, according to Congress. This act aims to enhance immigration enforcement.
Patton says none of the changes have had an effect on funding for international students.
“While there are some U.S. State Department programs that support international education, such as Fulbright and EducationUSA, it is important to remember that international students do not receive Federal Financial Aid and they self-pay for their living and education expenses,” Patton said. “International students contributed over $43 billion to the U.S. economy during 2023-2024, which is stated in the Institute of International Education Open Doors report. Of course, we know that they contribute so much more than just money.”
Besides increased visa vetting, President Trump may also enforce stricter regulations on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B visas making it more difficult for students to qualify and limiting the time students can work in the U.S. after completing their studies, according to the National Immigration Forum.
“While we wait to see what changes roll out in the next few weeks or months, there are some things that international students can do that are always good practices,” Patton said. “We recommend that students do not wait until the last minute to file any applications related to their visa. It is also always important to carry copies of your documents (passport, visa, I-20), even electronic copies.”
Patton encourages international students to stay informed on any new changes that may occur.
“Most of all, while it is vital to stay aware of new policies, times of uncertainty can take an emotional toll. It is important to take care of ourselves and our community,” Patton said. “Know that you are valued and supported here at UF. we will take any changes as they come, day-by-day and together.”
