International students brace for potential travel bans
Travel bans decreed by President Trump in a Jan. 20 executive order have left international students at Stanford increasingly worried. The bans, if put into place, would eliminate or significantly restrict the ability of these students to legally enter the U.S.
“I’m building a life here. A lot of friends, a lot of relationships here, and [not being able to come back] would cause a lot of strain,” said an international student from Europe, who requested anonymity due to concerns about losing his visa.
Following the bans, the State Department last month outlined a draft list of over 40 countries that they planned to impose travel bans against. This list included 11 “Red Countries” from which no travel would be allowed, 10 “Orange Countries” that would have their visas strictly limited and 22 “Yellow Countries” that had 60 days to address alleged security concerns.
The bans have become a major source of anxiety for impacted international students, since this would likely mean having to choose between the ability to return home and continuing their education at Stanford.
“It seems crazy and also a bit scary that just a small group of people can change this [travel ban] list at any time,” said the student from Europe.
Given Stanford’s competitive admissions process, the student felt that not being able to complete his degree would be disappointing. “All the work I did can be taken away,” he said.
The student also recalled being interrogated in a security room for hours upon first arriving to the U.S., which he fears could become a more regular occurrence if nativist policies continue. “I just don’t want to feel that again every time I enter the country.”
The bans were originally set to take effect on March 21. That day, the Bechtel International Center sent out a travel guidance email to all international students warning them of potential travel bans. “If you are a citizen of a country covered by a previous travel ban or from a country reported to be on a future travel ban, we recommend that you avoid all non-essential travel,” the Center wrote. “If you must travel, please check in with us first.”
The center also noted that they were planning information sessions related to the bans, and expressed their intention to provide students and scholars affected by travel bans with immigration assistance if necessary.
For now, however, the bans have not gone into effect. In a March 30 press conference, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the original March 21 deadline for the bans “no longer applies.” There is no new deadline at the moment, but Bruce vowed that “it’s being worked on.”
Even though the drafted travel bans have yet to be executed, Vice Provost of Student Affairs, Shalini D. Bhutani, still advises caution for students planning to travel. In a statement to The Daily, she wrote that international students should “assess their tolerance for risk while making decisions about international travel.”
Bhutani also underscored the possibility of non-travel-ban related obstacles that international students could face, such as delayed visa issuance processes at U.S. consulates because of backlogs.
Following visa cancellations for several students, the Bechtel International Center reiterated its concern for international students’ welfare on April 7. “As we learn about students who may be impacted [by travel-related executive orders and enforcement actions by federal agencies], we will make every effort to notify them quickly and connect them to resources and expert advice for assistance,” Vice Provost for Student Affairs Michelle Rasmussen wrote in an email to international students.
For students seeking support, Bhutani recommended attending the Bechtel International Center’s walk-in or zoom advising appointments or reaching out to them via email. In the meantime, “We continue working to support our international students,” she wrote.
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