As former President Donald J. Trump gears up to assume office again on January 20, his proposed policies and past actions cast a long shadow over Grinnell College, where international students represent approximately 19 percent of the student population.

The situation is further complicated by the recent appointments of billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their leadership may indicate a significant shift in immigration and international education policies.

Musk and Ramaswamy have expressed intentions to eliminate numerous regulations, which could drastically impact federal programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B visa lotteries—essential pathways for many international students seeking employment after graduation.

Karen Edwards, dean of international student affairs at Grinnell, voiced her concerns regarding potential changes to OPT, which is crucial for students looking to gain work experience post-graduation. “I worry about how this could limit opportunities for research internships or even the job market after graduation,” said Mihail Palmov `27, an international student from Bulgaria. “It feels like it will become increasingly difficult for any international student to secure employment in the U.S.”

Additionally, reports—such as one from the Wall Street Journal—indicate that Trump’s advisors are preparing executive orders aimed at restricting legal immigration. This includes reinstating travel bans on several Muslim-majority countries and halting refugee resettlements, actions that could have direct implications for current and prospective international students at Grinnell College. “Trump is unpredictable; you never know what policies he might introduce, and he tends to be quite controversial,” remarked Sun Yuvachitti `24.5, an international student from Thailand.

The F-1 visa remains the primary visa for international students in the U.S., requiring applicants to demonstrate non-immigrant intent—essentially proving they plan to return home after their studies.

Edwards explained that a president can enact significant changes affecting F-1 students since many regulations governing their benefits are not codified laws. “International students occupy a unique position because you’re classified as non-immigrants, necessitating non-immigrant intent,” she noted. “At the same time, you’re young adults navigating your future.”

In light of the uncertainty surrounding potential changes under Trump’s administration, the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) sent a precautionary email on November 25, urging all international students to return to the U.S. before the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025.

These concerns echo past experiences with Trump’s travel bans, which included an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees and a 90-day entry restriction for individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Edwards highlighted that OISA is particularly worried about new policies that could significantly impact international students, many of whom may not fully understand the regulatory changes enacted during Trump’s first term. “We witnessed modifications in tax codes affecting international students as well as attempts to alter duration of status benefits that many F-1 students might not even realize they possess,” Edwards explained. “For instance, social media handles were added to visa applications during Trump’s first administration.”

While future actions from Trump remain uncertain, colleges nationwide are providing varying guidance to international students. Cornell University has warned that “a travel ban is likely to go into effect soon after inauguration,” while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has advised caution against making assumptions, stating that “it is still too early to determine the immediate impacts on immigration and visa issues.”

The mixed signals from Trump’s 2024 campaign have created confusion; his rhetoric fluctuates between alarming and unexpectedly less hostile, contributing to a sense of uncertainty.

In an interview with The All-In Podcast, Trump stated regarding international students: “What I want to do is if you graduate from a college, you should automatically receive a green card as part of your diploma.” However, policy recommendations from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 suggest reducing the annual number of H-1B visas to prioritize American citizens’ opportunities. Although Trump has distanced himself from this project publicly, several contributors are former advisors and cabinet members from his previous administration.

International college students are increasingly expressing that this uncertainty adds to their existing burdens as they strive to balance academic responsibilities while worrying about potential lost opportunities in a country they have invested so much in. “The more I learn, the more anxious I become, especially after receiving that message from OISA,” Palmov shared.

In spite of looming changes, Edwards reassured students that they can count on institutional support. “I hope Grinnell students understand that our team and administrative support structure are closely monitoring this situation,” she said. “We want to clearly communicate that you are welcome here, and we genuinely want you to be part of our community.”