International students at the University of Oregon remain cautious after President Trump’s revised executive order on travel from six Muslim-majority countries.
The new order allows green card and visa holders to enter the United States, resolving some ambiguities in the previous ban. A UO biology student from Iran, who chose to identify himself only as Soroush for fear of deportation, remains frustrated with the situation facing international students and their families, despite the changes.
“I think it’s pretty unfair. It’s a thing they’re basing off of generalizations,” says Soroush. “Because someone that’s a decent, normal human being – which is the majority, by the way – they can’t get to enter the country. Like if my parents wanted to visit me, they can’t.”
According to the University’s Vice Provost of International Affairs Dennis Galvan, as of winter term, applications from students all over the world are down 15 percent. It’s preferable to the 30 percent decrease projected last fall but could still impact the cost of attendance for Oregon residents, which is offset by the full tuition paid by out-of-state and international students. Galvan says to continue being a great University, the UO must continue to be international -- and despite difficulties imposed by executive orders, their commitment to being such is not diminished.