The University of Maryland’s International Student and Scholar Services director sent an email to the international community Friday on how to navigate the Trump administration’s recent changes to student visa processes and the pause of new student visa interviews.
ISSS director Susan-Ellis Dougherty advised international students to attend all scheduled visa appointments and continue to submit any outstanding immigration documents, according to the email. She added that students without a set appointment should plan to schedule one as soon as they’re available, and recommended students and scholars seeking visas to contact ISSS to further discuss immigration options.
The email comes after the Trump administration announced it would begin to “aggressively revoke” the visas of Chinese international students across the country.
In a statement Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the revocations are set to target Chinese students “with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.” The Department of State will also revise the criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications for students from China or Hong Kong, Rubio wrote.
[Trump administration to begin ‘aggressively’ revoking Chinese students’ visas]
Dougherty wrote that ISSS is closely monitoring the changes to student visas, and encouraged international students to regularly check its website for updates and information on visa revocations.
She also recommended any students from China or Hong Kong contact ISSS if they have any concerns about their student status or receive notice from the State Department about a visa revocation.
Chinese students made up the second-largest group — more than 20 percent — of international students at this university during the fall 2024 semester, The Diamondback previously reported. China is also the second-largest country of origin for international students in the U.S., the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
International students are encouraged to reach out to the university’s counseling center and various student support resources if needed, Dougherty said.
“We recognize that this changing and uncertain immigration environment is stressful,” Dougherty wrote. “Our university community is here to support your academic and personal success.”
