By Hussein Ali Rifath, Joseph D’Andrea and Arpan Josan
The United States has a history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world and education has proven to be a tried-and-true path for millions looking to realize the American Dream. Recent political developments, however, have been a cause for concern to some of Adelphi’s 600 international students, many of whom wish to stay in the country after graduation. They, along with the Dreamers—those who arrived in the United States as minors, grew up here, and call America home but lack a valid immigration status—face a future of uncertainty as they receive mixed messages from the new governing coalition in Washington.
International students represent a major part of the student body, making up 8% of all students; 4% of the undergraduate population and 15% of the graduate population. They hail from 69 different countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Vietnam and China. AU international students study a wide variety of subjects, including business, mathematics, computer science, and the physical and life sciences.
After completing their course of study, those using ordinary student visas may request permission to stay and work in the United States for up to one year; extensions are possible for STEM degree holders. This, however, is not a long-term solution for international students looking for a future in the United States. As a result, many of them seek employment-based immigration sponsorships, primarily through the H-1B visa program. H-1B visa recipients may live and work in the United States for up to three years (extendable up to six) provided that they remain with the same employer during that period. Upon reaching the five-year mark, H-1B recipients may apply for permanent residence, which grants them a pathway to citizenship.

At the time of writing, there continues to be fierce debate about whether the H-1B visa program should be terminated. Although the President has publicly voiced support for the program, both sides have won the support of prominent Republicans in Washington.
There has been a similar debate on how to address the issue of the Dreamers, who fall into a grey area in U.S. immigration law. In 2012, the Obama Administration enacted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a Department of Homeland Security program allowing them to live, work and study in the United States without fear of deportation. DACA recipients are legally considered foreign nationals who lack valid immigration status. Still, their deep ties to the United States entitle them to be treated the same as domestic students for college admissions and financial aid purposes. Ongoing legal challenges to the program prevent new applications from being processed, but those who have already been granted DACA may renew their applications every four years. In President Trump’s first term, he made several unsuccessful attempts to end the program. What he intends to do in his second is unclear as he has signaled a willingness to consider putting forward a compassionate solution for Dreamers seeking legal status.
President Donald Trump also attempted to implement a series of travel bans during his first term, which made it difficult for many international students from the Middle East and North Africa to enter the U.S., with many being detained and having their visas arbitrarily cancelled by the immigration agents processing them. Trump has since vowed to reinstate similar travel bans in the future.
As students from affected groups prepare for an uncertain political environment under a second Trump Administration, the university has taken steps to ensure that they can continue to study at Adelphi.
International Services issued a winter travel guidance on Dec. 4, 2024, advising international students planning to travel outside the U.S. during the winter intersession to return no later than Jan. 20, 2025. These guidelines were offered as a precautionary measure for students whose entry into the U.S. could otherwise be complicated by newly enacted travel bans or other immigration policies. Those who opted to move into their residence hall early were spared additional charges for housing during the intersession. At press time no bans had taken place.
“Adelphi welcomes students and scholars from around the globe—in all educational levels and across all academic schools,” said Wendy Badala, MA ’20, executive director of international services. “Whatever policy changes may arise, Adelphi remains steadfast in our commitment to providing the guidance, resources and support our students need to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Together, we will continue to uphold our shared values of empathy, respect and collaboration. Should any updates to U.S. immigration or re-entry policies arise, the Office of International Services will promptly share this information with our students and the broader university community.”
Regarding students who may be DACA recipients, Badala said that protecting their rights and privacy is paramount. “The university does not voluntarily collect or disclose information about undocumented individuals or DACA recipients and has established procedures for responding to the release of information requested by all U.S. Homeland Security agencies.”
She added that International Services continuously monitors issues related to immigration and regulatory changes that impact our university community. “When necessary, the International and Immigration Task Force activates a cross-campus response team to review student support resources and recommend strategies to eliminate obstacles to student success,” she said.
During the campaign, President Trump and his allies have at times advocated for hardline immigration policies–such as military mobilization to support mass deportation efforts–but in other instances have discussed granting permanent residency to international students graduating from American universities, as well as expanding the amount of H-1B visas available for those looking to enter the workforce and stay in the United States after graduation. Specific details have yet to be announced. Badala emphasized that students should remain calm and avoid unnecessary fear or concern. As of press time, she said that so far there have been no concerns among international students who have returned to campus.
Adelphi international student Mariam Dzadzamia, a sophomore majoring in fine and studio arts, said she didn’t travel home to her country Georgia for the holidays, so couldn’t speak from personal experience about any border-crossing issues. But she did express some concerns.
“I believe that international students will face greater challenges in securing scholarships if their studies aren’t deemed absolutely necessary,” Dzadzamia said. “The criteria for studying abroad, especially for students relying on scholarships, may become more rigorous, requiring exceptional academic achievements. Additionally, cases where students have relatives abroad or other external plans tied to their studies could undergo stricter scrutiny. This heightened review process might impact the overall visa approval rate for international students.”
Adelphi alum Erica Criollo ‘23 said she remained skeptical about the President’s immigration platform. She is currently pursuing a master’s in international development at American University and supports immigration policy research with a sociology professor there. Having gained first-hand knowledge of immigrant anxieties through her work, she said she takes issue with the President’s rhetoric on immigration.
“The incoming administration's focus on restricting immigration to the United States is unfair, unjust and un-American,” Criollo said. “By creating additional division among current and future Americans, President Trump is building a hostile and dangerous environment when what we need now more than ever is dialogue and collaboration. I have conducted several interviews with immigrants in the DMV and NYC areas. The common message among all of them would be that immigrants are tired of being labeled as criminals when, in reality, they would do anything to have honest work, provide for their families, and build wealth now that the corruption they escaped from back home cannot hold them back. They feel there is no hope for their dreams nor consideration for the good intentions they have.”
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