Up until July 14, University of Wyoming student Aina Farid was worried that she would have to drop everything and leave the country.
Farid, an international student, said she was concerned that the Trump administration’s ruling would send students home if the schools became online only.
“It literally feels like a heavy load of burden has been lifted from my shoulders,” said Farid. “There are many people, like me, who had to worry for days wondering if we have to drop everything and leave the country but I am glad that all those worries are gone for now.”
Before this ruling was rescinded on July 14, Farid said she contemplated transferring to another university that would offer more on-campus classes.
“I was really willing to find other institutions that offer on-campus classes because I did not want to give up and go back to my home country. The application and processes for getting a visa to the United States of America took us months,” said Farid. “There is no wrong in continuing our education in our home countries but it would be quite disappointing to have set your higher education goals in a US institution but to end up graduating with a degree from home.”
Farid said she believes the original ruling was both irrational and unfair to international students.
“It is unfair for us international students who have paid more tuition than local students, but are treated less. To me, the original ruling was abrupt, irrational, and probably unbeneficial to both locals and international students,” said Farid.
Adlynn Jamaludin, a UW communication major and international student, said “I am so glad we don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
Jamaludin said she also felt supported by some of her professors and the International Students and Scholars (ISS).
“This is great news for our international students that are currently at UW,” said Jill Johnson, the Director of ISS.
Jamaludin said, “I am so thankful for everyone that helped fight for this and is trying their best in making us all feel welcomed. I had a few friends and professors who checked up on me and my other friends regarding the original ruling and also after it was changed. That just made me feel like people care and that’s a nice feeling especially when you’re so far away from home, alone.”
On top of being deported, Jamaludin said she was also worried about her and other international students’ living situations.
“What are we supposed to do with our rents here? I’m sure most of us have signed long term leases. Getting out of the lease would be a pain and having to pay the rents even when we’re not here for the entire semester? Some of us do not have the financial for that. And if not, what are we supposed to do with our stuff?,” said Jamaludin.
Jamaludin said if the U.S. would have kept this rule, many international students would have thought twice about receiving an education in the U.S.
“Some of my friends said that if they were kicked out, they will never come back to the U.S. ever again. With the pain of being kicked out, they may just go to some other country that welcomes them,” said Jamaludin.
Johnson said, “we still need to make every effort to get international students into as many on-campus/face-to-face credits as possible. But, the big change is that if, for some reason, UW does decide to move all online, our international students can stay in the US legally.”
While reassessing UW’s plans for international students in the fall, Johnson said she was happy that many UW faculty and staff had reached out and offered their help and support.
“The staff in ISS received dozens of emails of support from faculty and staff on campus offering their ideas and willingness to help the international students,” she said. “We were very heartened to see such care and concern from all corners of the university.”
