Ana Villa
Trump’s policies on visas have impacted international students across the U.S.. According to the New York Times, there has been a nearly 19% decline in international student travel in August 2025 compared to earlier months because of President Donald Trump’s policies that prevent international students from entering the U.S..
Trump’s policies have caused uncertainty for some St. Olaf international students.
“It is the chaos of not knowing what is going to happen [or] what is going to change… not being able to anticipate whether they can travel home,” said Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of International Admissions Jenny Howenstine in an interview with The Olaf Messenger.
This uncertainty is heightened for students whose countries are on a travel ban list. An anonymous international student said in an interview with The Olaf Messenger that their experience has been difficult due to “not knowing when [they] will be able to meet with [their] family again.”
According to Howenstine, the combination of delaying visa processing — such as deferrals — and restrictions due to travel bans are to blame for the struggle of international students. With these restrictions being a federal law, a follow-up question arises: what is St. Olaf College doing to help the admitted international students and the international community already on campus?
Howenstine says the Admissions team is working to ease the process for the admitted students all over the globe. She explained that I-20 forms are crucial to be able to secure an early visa appointment to get out of the delayed application process. As a result, Howenstine tries to process I-20 forms as quickly as possible. Previously, one could only apply in a certain time period; now, students can apply a year ahead of time, which gives them enough time to be able to manage the longer visa application appointments.
Moreover, the Taylor Center team is “extra mindful” of providing support to the international community here.
“President [Susan Rundell] Singer put together a rapid response team over the last winter,” Howenstine said. “Eduardo [Pazos Palma, Vice President for Community and Belonging] has been working with his multiple teams [to help the international community at St. Olaf].”
As a part of an institution that fosters diversity and inclusion, St. Olaf students are encouraged to keep each other in mind during these uncertain times for their international peers.