Dear Matt,
A new month, same you-know-what. A presidential proclamation issued on June 4 bars the entry of nonimmigrants, including international students, scholars, and exchange visitors, from 19 countries, effective on June 9. It does not apply to current valid/unexpired visa holders from those countries. As NAFSA executive director and CEO, Fanta Aw said in response, “Academic exchange should never be wielded as a geopolitical weapon. Educating the world’s brightest minds in the United States builds bridges to future business, diplomatic, and civic leaders—strengthening relationships that serve America’s long-term interests.” More information about the countries affected may be found on NAFSA’s website.
Also on June 4, President Trump issued a proclamation that would restrict the issuance of visas for new international students, scholars, and exchange visitors if their intent involved Harvard University. A federal judge temporarily blocked that order on June 5 and extended the temporary restraining order that prevents the Department of Homeland Security from stripping Harvard of its ability to enroll international students. A temporary restraining order is also blocking the DHS from proceeding with its “Notice of Intent to Withdraw” Harvard’s SEVIS certification. Bewildered yet? Same. Check out this NAFSA page for all the links.
Meanwhile, the State Department’s pause of new student visa interviews continues, despite remarks at a press briefing on Tuesday that the department would release an update “before the end of the week.” NAFSA joined a coalition letter led by the American Council on Education to Secretary of State Rubio that speaks to the urgency of resuming student visa interviews and raises alarm over Secretary Rubio’s remarks that the department plans to revoke the visas of some Chinese students.
The pause in scheduling student visa interviews applies from the day it was announced until further notice. Recall our advice from last week that it is important that students who have appointments scheduled proceed with their interviews. See below for a link to share with NAFSA any reports of successful visa interview/issuance and/or appointment cancellations.
The full president’s budget request for FY2026 was released on May 30 which confirms a 93 percent cut to the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (home to Fulbright, Gilman, the IDEAS program, and the Critical Language Scholarship Program). This aligns with the “skinny” version of the president’s budget that was released in May. As the Alliance for International Exchange pointed out the only thing that remains is “core program management,” funded at $50 million, with an intention to reduce ECA staffing to 185 personnel. The full request also zeros out the international education programs at the Department of Education, namely the Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs. The White House documents also show FY2025 funding for these programs zeroed out as well.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Add your voice to the message that we cannot afford to close our doors to the next generation of global leaders, innovators, and allies. Urge Congress to convey to the Departments of State and Homeland Security that it should be a national priority to welcome international students and scholars to study and succeed here.
The message we have provided can easily be used to inform your campus officials, your federal relations officer, and even the athletic director at your institution. In the case of the latter, note this ESPN story on the subject.
Speak up for IE programs at the Departments of Education and State!
Report through NAFSA IssueNet if you’re aware of students who have successfully had visa interviews that were scheduled prior to, or since the pause and if so, which post. Similarly, report any cancellations of visa appointments that were scheduled prior to the pause and which post.
Thank you kindly.
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
