CSU provides few updates as impact of federal immigration policy still uncertain

Visa-holding students across the nation faced a turbulent spring semester following multiple new federal immigration laws that put some students’ immigration status at risk. Federal immigration policy has undergone several developments since The Collegian last reported that student visa revocations were paused in April, but the extent to which federal policy has impacted students at Colorado State University has remained unclear since then.

In line with its approach last year, CSU has issued occasional statements on the matter throughout the summer, although there have been no updates so far this semester. The latest update from the Office of International Programs, which was issued June 20, states that scholar visa interviews were resumed, but the White House and Department of State did not provide much further information.
“CSU continues to comply with the law and monitor directives from federal agencies. International student visas are processed by the government, and notifications may vary case by case. CSU works to support affected students; due to student privacy, the university does not make details public.” -Nik Olsen, CSU director for crisis communication
The Collegian reached out to the Office of International Programs, Student Legal Services and the Associated Students of CSU, all of which declined to comment.

Nik Olsen, CSU’s director for crisis communication and public information officer, provided the following statement over email:

“CSU continues to comply with the law and monitor directives from federal agencies,” the statement reads. “International student visas are processed by the government, and notifications may vary case by case. CSU works to support affected students; due to student privacy, the university does not make details public.”

Many other universities have been more transparent with their concerns regarding how the Trump administration’s policies may impact campus, particularly regarding international student enrollment rates. According to a report by the Institute of International Education, 35% of the 559 schools surveyed reported fewer international applications, a number that is expected to rise.

The New York Times reported in August that this is likely due to uncertainties concerning future federal immigration law, increased scrutiny like rigorous social media vetting, targeted restrictions on certain countries, closed embassies and overall delays in the visa process.

A travel ban that went into effect on June 9 suspended immigrant and nonimmigrant entry from the following countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. There are also partial entry restrictions from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

Greg Wymer, CSU’s director of international student and scholar services, issued a statement regarding the travel ban June 5:

“If you are from … one of the aforementioned countries and you have a valid visa, your visa will not be revoked based on this executive order,” it reads. “If you currently have an expired visa from one of these countries, we recommend that you not travel outside the U.S., as it is our understanding that your visa will not be renewed.”

CSU has not provided any further updates on the ban or commented on how the restrictions have impacted students so far, but the effects of the ban may change over time, as it is to be reexamined by the secretary of state every 180 days, beginning Sept. 2.

In further efforts to restrict scholarly visas, the Department of Homeland Security proposed an end to what is known as “duration of status,” which allows most F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors to stay in the United States as long as they abide by visa rules and requirements. This would mean F-1 and J-1 visas would come with a “defined period” of stay, and individuals would have to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension.

This proposal is still being deliberated and has not yet gone into effect.

The latest update on immigration policy at CSU did not come from the university, but from the Career Center through the job platform Handshake. The website linked to a webinar registration for a Border Patrol recruitment event that took place Sept. 3. The webinar was the third immigration enforcement event posted to the platform this summer.

9 News reported outrage from students and included a statement from CSU that defended the post, with part of the university’s statement pointing out that federal agencies are authorized to recruit at CSU. The Career Center provided The Collegian with a similar statement:

“These types of external employer-hosted events are not affiliated with or sponsored by the university,” it reads. “Federal agencies are not prohibited to recruit at CSU.”

As of Sept. 9, CSU has not updated its federal updates website with additional information that pertains to international students. For now, it is unclear if the university will continue to report visa revocations or change any of its existing policies in response to federal directives.

Students who are interested in further updates should continue to check the federal updates website and stay aware of any correspondence put out by the university. Students with concerns about their immigration status are encouraged to contact International Student and Scholar Services at (970) 491-5917 or isss@colostate.edu, or meet with an international student adviser.