Following the re-election of former President Donald Trump on November 5, the University has begun assessing the possible effects of his administration on international and undocumented students. As the inauguration on January 20, 2025, draws closer, uncertainty surrounds potential changes to U.S. immigration policy, especially those affecting students from abroad.
University officials have voiced concern about the unpredictable nature of Trump’s policies, particularly regarding immigrants and refugees. In an interview, President Michael Roth ’78 expressed his worries about the immediate threats posed to immigrants, many of whom are part of the University community. “The most immediate threat seems to be against immigrants and refugees, some of whom are at Wesleyan,” Roth said. “But how exactly these policies will be implemented and how states and institutions might protect vulnerable members remains uncertain.”
A major concern for the University is the potential restriction of student visas, which could impact the ability of international students to attend. International students make up about 10% of the student body. During his first term, Trump’s administration targeted temporary work visas, including the H-1B, which allows skilled foreign workers to take jobs in the U.S.
The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) is closely monitoring developments, particularly as Trump’s inauguration approaches. In a recent email to international students, the OISA recommended that those on F-1 visas remain in the U.S. by January 19, 2025, to avoid complications with re-entry following any changes in immigration policy.
OISA Director Morgan Keller emphasized the office’s efforts to stay updated on federal immigration changes. “We regularly consult with other institutions and federal agencies to stay informed,” Keller wrote, noting collaborations with bodies like the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In addition to potential visa restrictions, University administrators have expressed alarm at the prospect of mass deportations, a key promise of Trump’s campaign. Roth voiced his concern over the impact these policies might have on undocumented students. “The mass deportations promised by President-elect Trump threaten our students who may be undocumented,” Roth wrote in a post-election blog.
This sentiment harkens back to 2016, when the University declared itself a “sanctuary campus” in response to Trump’s election. The administration reiterated that it would not cooperate with federal authorities in deporting members of the Wesleyan community. “We are confident that we can do what we’ve done before, which is to say that we will not willingly cooperate with any efforts to arrest or deport members of the Wesleyan community,” Roth said. However, he also clarified that the University would comply with legal mandates, should they arise. We won’t do anything illegal to protect people who may be targeted because of their immigration status,” Roth added.
Roth has consistently warned about the consequences of Trump’s immigration stance in American higher education, sharing his views in interviews with major outlets like *The New York Times* and writing op-eds for *Slate*. “His nasty nativism is antithetical to the recruitment of international students, a practice that has been a boon to higher education,” Roth argued.
Students at the University have expressed anxiety over the possible rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly in the wake of Trump’s rhetoric. Hudson Wang ’26, an international student from China, shared his concerns about the potential for increased hostility toward foreign students. “I fear that his anti-immigration policies could encourage hostility towards people who don’t fit a particular demographic,” Wang said. “I’m not personally worried because I’m at a privileged school, but I’m concerned for the broader implications.”
Despite these uncertainties, the University has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its international students through the potential challenges ahead. “We want all international students at Wesleyan to know that we care about them, we value and admire them, and we are always here for them throughout their experience at the University,” Keller wrote in a message of reassurance.
As the new administration prepares to take office, the University remains dedicated to protecting its students, faculty, and staff, and will continue to monitor the evolving immigration landscape closely.
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