Trump Travel Ban Indefinitely Delayed as US Continues to Revoke Visas
Reporting this week indicates that the potential travel ban has been put on hold. With all the changes and reviews taking place on visas and processes, many wondered if the administration really would benefit from a formal travel ban. Formally announcing a ban of countries would open them up to lawsuits when, in reality, they have the ability to simply implement a ban through enhanced vetting, slowing visa processing times, and increasing visa denials. Our team is closely monitoring all of these issues and are working with others in our sector. We will continue to update you on this situation and monitor visa processing.
The State Department said Monday it is continuing to work on the report that would serve as the basis for the anticipated visa restrictions but could not say when it would be ready. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office requesting recommendations on what new visa restrictions should be applied to which countries by March 21.
Rubio Orders US Diplomats to Scour Student Visa Applicants’ Social Media
This reporting adds to the above article. We have known that the administration has been putting into place processes to enhance vetting of all incoming visa applicants, especially students. We first learned of a new State Department cable being issued by Secretary Rubio last week informing officials of new processes pertaining to social media. The primary purpose of the vetting stems from “protecting students from anti-semitic speech” and targets any international students who participated in last year’s protest. Students should be advised to review their social media including posts shared by others.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats overseas to scrutinize the social media content of some applicants for student and other types of visas, in an effort to bar those suspected of criticizing the United States and Israel from entering the country, U.S. officials say.
Learn more on The New York Times >
The news and video of the Tufts student being taken into custody, along with comments made by Secretary Rubio and others in the administration, has shaken higher education. Last week, we featured a LinkedIn post from CEO Tom Dretler on the importance of international students; this week, we want to share with you the response from others to last week’s news and the current state of affairs.
Alliance of Over 570 College and University Leaders Condemns the Apprehension and Detention of International Students and Calls on the Administration to Respect Constitutional Rights
The Presidents’ Alliance is highly alarmed by recent immigration enforcement actions targeting noncitizen students, faculty and staff, condemns the detention of international students, and urgently calls on the Administration to respect their constitutional rights, including the First Amendment’s protection of speech and the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of due process.
Read more on the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration website >
NAFSA Responds to International Student and Scholar Arrests
“International students and their families seek predictability, security, and a welcoming environment when choosing where to study. The U.S. government’s recent actions have created an atmosphere of fear and confusion that has students, scholars, and their families understandably concerned about their safety and future in the United States. These actions also undermine what makes U.S. higher education so special: well-resourced, cutting-edge research opportunities; academic freedom; and free speech."
