Students, Willamette’s international office navigate Trump’s immigration and higher ed crackdowns

The Office of International Education (OIE) in spring of 2021. Photo by Anushka Srivastav.

Since President Donald Trump took office in early 2025, changes and interruptions to the student visa application process have caused confusion and stress for prospective international Willamette students and the Office of International Education (OIE) staff. 

In May 2025, the U.S. Department of State ordered a pause of all international visa interviews, prompting a wave of confusion and anxiety across the globe. One Willamette international student was able to book her visa appointment just days before the pause: “The only problem was time pressure,” they said.

The Collegian spoke with several international students for this article on the condition of anonymity out of concern for their safety and immigration status. For this reason, none of them are being named. 

Worries were augmented by the Trump administration’s ongoing search and seizure of students’ social media accounts. 

“I feel like that just made me really worried,” a second international student told The Collegian. Before entering the country this fall, the student had to disclose any social media accounts used within the last 10 years.

Since the pause in May, which was lifted a few weeks after going into effect, President Trump issued sweeping orders banning entry into the United States from 19 countries. In late August, he ordered a suspension of all Palestinian visas. 

Trump's attacks on international students are aligned with his broader fight against higher education and free speech on campuses. In the months since he took office, the president has been in legal battles with universities such as Harvard over allegations of antisemitism and discrimination.

Trump’s other attacks on higher education include the gutting of federal funding for larger research-based schools, canceling debt relief for graduates and working to remove any Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI) programs. In May, a Tuft’s international doctorate student was detained by federal agents for an op-ed written in her school’s newspaper.

The increase in political force used against students has influenced how Willamette’s international students feel about coming abroad: “Many people told me not to come here,” a third international student said, referring to the fear her family and friends relayed.

Some international students are paying more attention to how they live while in the United States. “You self-correct,” another WU international student told The Collegian. “I can't get in trouble.” 

Through this, Willamette’s Office of International Education is still working to bring international students to Salem — both for study abroad and for four-year programs.

“Our first and foremost concern is that our international students feel safe here,” said Joe Bowersox, the director of the international education office and Dempsey Chair of Environmental Policy & Politics. 

Bowersox said these concerns require more communication between schools, their different departments and potential students. 

The office is also keeping an eye out for potential issues with visa applications that could impact incoming students. 

“It does feel like we have to work a little bit ahead,” said Chris Andresen, associate director of the international education office. 

Bowersox said the OIE continues to stay informed and use “a lot more communication and diligence.” The office works in tandem with the Office of Admissions to support students in their application processes, arrivals and more. 

Bowersox and Andresen noted that there has not been a decrease in incoming students despite the tense environment. Bowersox said “We’re small enough that we can really provide that individual attention, which I think, particularly now, is really important for international students.”