Dear Pomona College community,
Since our founding, Pomona has aspired to bring together the brightest students with the most exceptional instructors for an unrivalled education. Since our earliest days, international students have been core to the unique learning environment at the College, and they are essential members of our Sagehen community.
This week, the Trump administration announced two policies that impact international students, and we recognize the implications are both confusing and deeply unsettling for the Pomona community and more broadly for the nation. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and while much remains unclear, please know that we are here to support you as we continue to learn more.
To summarize, the administration has ordered U.S. Embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants until a new social media vetting process has been codified. This immediate pause will continue until further guidance is issued, purportedly in the next few days.
What this means: The U.S. government has suspended all new appointments for anyone pursuing F and J visas. (For clarity’s sake: An F visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to study in the U.S. J visas, or “Exchange Visitor Visas,” are similar and allow foreign nationals to participate in approved educational and cultural exchange programs in the U.S.). Our consultants in Washington, D.C. have advised that the government is currently proceeding with previously scheduled appointments. However, we have heard from other contacts that some appointments have been cancelled (although not those of Pomona students).
Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the administration intends to “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students,” from both the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong. Along with our colleagues in D.C. and across higher education, we are closely tracking the impacts of the administration’s announcement pertaining to Chinese students. We have no other information at this time, but will share any developments as we learn them.
Our Office of International Student & Scholar Services is rapidly reaching out to incoming and international students to provide support and resources. Assistant Director of International Student & Scholar Services Kathy Quispe urges all international students who have not completed their paperwork and/ or scheduled their visa appointments to quickly do so. All international students with questions should contact Kathy.
Pomona is fortunate that international students of exceptional ability and dedication are drawn here to pursue their education. They strengthen every aspect of the College’s life, and we will do all we can to help them navigate this challenging landscape. If you know students affected, I encourage you to remind them of their value to the community and urge them to contact the Office of International Student & Scholar Services for support.
Sincerely,
Bob
Robert Gaines
Acting President
Edwin F. and Martha Hahn Professor of Geology