BALT more— Upon learning that a dear friend had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, the Johns Hopkins professor initially considered booking the next available flight. However, she stays thousands of miles away in Baltimore, worried that her status as a non-citizen could hinder her return.
This is a valid concern in today’s world.
A professor from another university in Baltimore, who had arrived at Dulles following a brief visit home earlier that spring, was detained, interrogated, kept overnight, and then sent back to Africa on a subsequent flight.
“I even forgot a burrito in the refrigerator,” stated the professor, who remains unnamed with other personal information concealed to prevent harm from his efforts to come back to the U.S.
“The source of my income has vanished,” the disheartened professor stated through a WhatsApp call. “This is my career. I put in immense effort to reach this point.”
International students and educators have found themselves unexpectedly at the center of two intense disputes under President Donald Trump’s administration: his conflict with universities which he portrays as breeding grounds for “political correctness” and his opposition to foreign individuals, despite their legal status.
The Trump administration has been intermittently targeting the visas that enable students and researchers to pursue their studies and work in the U.S., leading to a cycle of fear, confusion, and ambiguity about whether—and how—they can finish their courses, programs, and earn their degrees.
Recently, attention has been drawn to Chinese students. Initially, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated earlier this month that the administration planned to “actively rescind” their visas and intensify scrutiny for incoming applications. However, on June 11, President Donald Trump appeared to change his stance, announcing via social media that under an as-yet-unfinalized trade and tariff agreement reached with China, Chinese students would be permitted to remain in the country.
The State Department declined to offer an official comment regarding inquiries from The Baltimore Sun. However, the Trump administration had previously asserted numerous times that visas are considered a privilege and may be rescinded instantly due to various factors. Earlier in the year, students participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations faced repercussions; for instance, Rubio mentioned that each time he encounters “these crazies,” he revokes their visas.
It remains uncertain what the administration’s inconsistent announcements truly signify.
In April, the visas of more than 1,500 international students, including those at Maryland universities, were canceled, although many were restored. Still, the Trump administration has continued to crack down on student visas, suspending new appointments for the interviews required as part of the application process and saying it would scrutinize students’ social media accounts.
Becoming an essential part of each day for at least one Chinese student in Baltimore involves reassuring her parents that she is doing well. She requested anonymity regarding her identity to prevent potential issues with her visa. This young lady mentioned that the last few months have taken a significant emotional toll on her and shattered dreams shared by many students from her homeland.
numerous Chinese students aspire to study in America,” stated the woman, who is pursuing her Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University. “According to my parents, if you get the opportunity, you should seize it.
She mentioned that there is greater liberty here compared to China, allowing individuals to pursue their interests without governmental interference in their choice of studies.
I believe what attracts international students to America is the freedom and democratic values,” she stated. “That’s what makes America distinctive.
She mentioned that these issues might have been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s actions. Initially, she intended to travel to Europe this summer; however, she has decided to stay in the U.S. to steer clear of a situation similar to one experienced by someone she knows: An engineering student from Johns Hopkins went back to China for the Lunar New Year in January and was not allowed to return to the U.S.
I don’t believe he’s a spy,” the woman stated. “His purpose was merely to conduct research.
Hopkins boasts one of the highest proportions of international students compared to similar institutions. The university reports that 15% of undergraduate students, 29% of graduate students, and 34% of Ph.D. candidates come from overseas. Certain departments at Hopkins exhibit even higher rates of foreign student enrollment; for instance, over half of the graduate students enrolled at the Peabody Institute hail from another country.
The controversy surrounding visa issues adds to the challenges faced by Hopkins, one of several universities scrutinized by the Trump administration for purported anti-Semitism. As a result, the institution has suffered significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars due to reduced federal funding, including cuts stemming from the disbandment of the foreign assistance organization USAID.
The professors mentioned that the never-ending assaults on academia are dispiriting, even though they themselves may not be directly threatened, as their peers, pupils, and establishments are impacted.
François Furstenberg, who teaches history at Johns Hopkins University, has urged the institution to take a stronger stance against what he perceives as significant “threats” posed by Trump—not only to the university’s objectives but also to legal standards and constitutional principles.
“There’s no compromise with authoritarianism,” Furstenberg said. “The only path forward is to say, this is illegal and we’re going to fight you in court.
It would boost spirits if individuals could claim that the university is supporting us,” he stated. “The troubling aspect has been this overall lack of communication.
Hopkins has mostly stayed clear of direct clashes with Trump, though it recently attempted to backing a Harvard lawsuit concerning federal funding reductions.
A representative from JHU stated in an announcement that the university’s Office of International Services is offering “extensive assistance” to both students and employees.
“International students, faculty, postdocs, and staff are essential parts of the Hopkins community, and we continue to be dedicated to aiding their prosperity and welfare despite the continuous adjustments to federal immigration policies,” stated the spokesperson.
Like other institutions of higher learning, Johns Hopkins University has alerted its international students and staff about the potential risks associated with traveling overseas at this time. The university advises, “Should an unforeseen delay in continuing your education, research activities, work, or teaching duties arise from being stranded abroad indefinitely, you must weigh the necessity of leaving the country.” This statement was issued via the JHU Office of International Services website. It also emphasizes that “the OIS cannot assure readmission into the U.S., since such decisions ultimately rest with Customs and Border Protection.”
Earlier this month, in a communication to the Hopkins community, President Ron Daniels and other university leaders highlighted the impact of “a challenging period” and voiced their serious worry about the international community, which has consistently been vital to their research efforts.
But another Hopkins professor, a citizen of a European country, said she feels very vulnerable at the moment.
“If anything happens, we’re on our own. The university is not going to pick a fight with the Trump administration over a professor,” she said, asking to remain anonymous to avoid problems with her application for a green card.
This spring, witnessing ICE raids throughout the nation has been “really frightening,” she stated.
This ongoing anxiety really saps your energy,” she remarked. “It feels like literally anything might occur without warning. If Trump has a rough evening, then unexpectedly, yet another visa could be revoked.
The professor has lived and worked in the U.S. for much of her adult life. “It’s not like we’re just visiting. This is home for us. We make friends here. We work our jobs. We care about our research,” she said. “All of a sudden, that seems like it could all fall apart.”
Rachel Banks, who serves as the senior director for public policy and legislative strategy at NAFSA: Association of International Educators, stated that even prior to the recent measures taken by the Trump administration, “individuals studying abroad and scholarly visitors are among the most closely examined categories of visa recipients.”
Banks, who leads a non-profit organization promoting worldwide education, expressed concern that students might struggle to get visas to study in the country or may deem it too risky and uncertain. She mentioned that restricting this flow of talented individuals could have significant long-term effects on educational institutions and research sectors.
Students might seek their education somewhere else, which would be a significant loss for us,” she stated. “We require both the students and the scholars who can educate the upcoming generation.
The professor from Baltimore who was returned to Africa left approximately six unfinished scholarly articles. Some of these were still undergoing peer review, while others had been mostly completed but needed only copyediting. He doubts whether he will be able to finish them from his current location, which is far away from his leased house close to the university. All his necessary software and possessions are still there.
He keeps up with the news about his adopted hometown and was delighted that Ravens wide receiver Jay Flowers has returned from his injury last season. He also frequently thinks about how his students are faring.
I really enjoyed it. Watching those children transform and mature was truly rewarding,” he remarked. “It made me believe that perhaps I had some positive impact.
He has been attempting to secure an interview for a visa to come back, but he was informed that the embassies are not conducting any appointments at this time.
As per the embassy source who informed him, “The best course of action is to bide your time.”
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