'It's scary': Jamaican student hoping to study in US weighs impact of Trump policy

 

A Jamaican student hoping to study in the United States is raising concern over the implications of the Trump administration's attempts to ban the enrolment of international students by Harvard University.

 

The assault on elite higher education began during pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations last year, but has since expanded into a broader ideological battle against the universities.

 

Funding cuts have been implemented at the institutions, and a new government anti-Semitism task force has identified at least 60 universities for review. 

 

The student, whose identity is being withheld to protect his privacy, says the Trump administration's policy change is having a negative effect on international students.

 

"It is quite scary, because a lot of people go to the United States in hope for pursuit of better higher education, you know, to put themselves in a better position. But I think for me, though it's concerning, I am not that worried, you know, in relation to myself," said the student who told Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines host Dionne Jackson Miller that "I just have faith in God that things will work out".

 

In the meantime, Jamaican and immigration attorney in Florida, Wayne Golding, said he has been receiving several calls from concerned students about the policy on visas for international students. He said students have been requesting information on student visa revocation.

 

"Well, we've seen where people are really marching into their international student affairs office to see if the universities can give them more information on who exactly is being targeted for revocation or cancellation. We've seen more efforts on the part of the universities to educate students on the simple things that can get their student visas revoked, which can be almost anything because it's discretionary on the part of the administration. 

 

"A student visa once gotten, it's not a right. It's a privilege and it's something that can be taken away at any time for any reason. So there's heightened concern on that side," said Mr. Golding who was also speaking Tuesday on Beyond the Headlines. 

 

Associate professor of sociology at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Dr. Gary Oates, believes there is no wholesale cancellation of student visas. 

 

Dr. Oates said international students should not be deterred by stories of visa revocation for international students.

 

"I did some checks. My school, for example, there was one revocation, a single revocation and subsequently the visa was restored. So the sensational cases make the news by and large. And again, it's a dynamic, fluid process. Things can change, but by and large, people are still being granted, well up until recently, people continue to be granted US visas. And again, once you enter our doors, once you arrive on our campuses, we're extremely welcoming places to international students. So I think come if you can," he encouraged.

 

He said students from Muslim majority countries face increased scrutiny from the United States when applying for student visas.

 

"It's important to kind of preface this by saying it's a fluid situation. And so, you know, things can change and people's experiences vary depending on where you're coming from. If you're coming, for example, from a Muslim majority country, it's much more difficult, you know, the prospects of revocation and so on are just a much more substantial than if you're coming from, say, you know, our part of the world, Latin America and the Caribbean."

 

 

Meanwhile, the US State Department has instructed US embassies and consulates around the world to pause new student visa appointments as it moves to expand social media screening and vetting to all applicants for student visas. 

 

It's the latest move from the Trump administration that could deter international students from studying at universities in the United States. 

 

This comes after the Trump administration revoked scores of student visas and has attempted to stop foreign students from studying at Harvard University, a move that has been halted by a judge for the time being. 

 

An expansion of the efforts could severely slow down the overall student visa issuance process. 

 

In addition, the pause on new appointments, if it lasts, could create a significant backlog. 

 

Former consular offices say appointments for student visas are typically prioritised at this time of year.