Lehigh University is home to over 1,600 international students and scholars and their dependents. As part of our work to support our international community and to enable the university to continue recruiting the most talented individuals from around the world, the Office of International Affairs advocates for public policies that promote the free exchange of people and ideas. This page lists Lehigh responses and guidance related to recent government actions.
The Office of International Students and Scholars publishes additional guidance for international students and scholars specific to immigration and travel advisories. Please visit the OISS page for this information.
Presidential Executive Orders Impacting International Education and Immigration
Since his inauguration on January 20, President Donald Trump has signed executive orders, with additional measures expected in the near future. These directives are anticipated to impact undocumented immigrants, refugees, international travelers, and international students and scholars. As these policies take effect, details regarding their enforcement and overall impact will emerge, and we will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
Lehigh response:
- A Lehigh working group of campus leaders are monitoring executive orders and the actions from federal agencies for impact on students, staff, faculty and programs.
- A letter from Nathan Urban, Donald Outing and Cheryl Matherly was distributed to campus on January 29, 2025 reaffirming our commitment to our campus regardless of background, identity or beliefs.
- OIA distributed to campus "Protocol for International Students and Visitors Seeking to Enter the United States to Attend or Visit Lehigh University" and "Lehigh University Required Protocol for Faculty or Staff For Calls or Visits by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or Another Government Agency"
Below is a summary of executive orders that influence immigrant-origin communities in higher education and throughout the United States.
Strengthening Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
A Jan. 20 executive order has imposed stricter screening procedures for individuals seeking entry into the U.S., including F-1 and J-1 students, as well as those already residing in the country. These orders direct government agencies to enhance scrutiny of applicants from countries identified as security concerns and to monitor individuals within the U.S. to ensure they do not express hostility toward American citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles. The order also seeks to identify individuals who may have ties to designated terrorist organizations or other national security threats. Additionally, the executive order indicates a 60 day time period for federal agencies to identify countries with potentially deficient vetting processes and that pose a national security or public safety risk to the United States. This may result in additional travel restrictions.
The full impact of these policies remains uncertain, international students and scholars should anticipate that immigration related agencies will use more extreme vetting tactic when reviewing visas and immigration benefits; require more interviews for those applying for visas at US Consulate outside of the US; impose increased documentary requirements for applications for visa benefits; and issue additional requests for information and audits of universities.
Students and scholars who are traveling internationally and applying for visas should potentially expect longer processing times and additional scrutiny at US Embassies/Consulates. Individuals in the US applying for immigration benefits should expect longer processing times from USCIS and additional scrutiny on applications/petitions.
Termination of Parole Programs and TPS Review
President Trump has issued an executive order ending the parole program for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, which previously allowed individuals to enter the U.S. and temporarily live and work. At this time, no new applications are being accepted for these programs. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memo calling for a review of all humanitarian parole programs, meaning each case is now subject to reassessment. A separate DHS memo from January 23, which expanded immigration enforcement, also referenced individuals in the U.S. under various parole programs. On February 5, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it was terminating the 2023 designation of Temporary Protective Status for Venezuela. Any Lehigh student or scholar currently on TPS for Venezuela should contact a qualified immigration attorney (see Resources below).
Halt on Refugee Admissions
A Jan. 20 executive order indefinitely suspended all refugee admissions. Though the policy was scheduled to take effect on January 27, refugee arrivals were immediately halted, and scheduled resettlement flights were canceled upon the order’s signing. This suspension will remain in place until a revised system is implemented, with the Secretary of Homeland Security required to provide updates every 90 days. The suspension includes a complete freeze on applications for both the Welcome Corps and Welcome Corps on Campus programs.
Effort to Eliminate Birthright Citizenship
A separate order aims to strip birthright citizenship from children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents and restrict government agencies from issuing citizenship-related documents, such as passports. Under this directive, individuals would not be considered U.S. citizens if their father is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident and their mother is undocumented or holds only a temporary status (such as a student or work visa). However, on January 23, 2025, a federal judge issued a temporary 14-day block on the order, calling it "blatantly unconstitutional" and affirming that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees citizenship to all individuals born in the United States.
Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism
This executive order requires all executive departments and agencies to submit reports within 60 days of January 29, 2025, identifying legal actions to combat anti-Semitism and analyzing civil-rights complaints related to post-October 7, 2023, campus incidents. The Department of Justice must include court case analyses and indicate potential legal actions, including civil rights enforcement. The Department of Education must report on Title VI complaints and ensure enforcement aligns with Executive Order 14188. The Departments of Homeland Security, Education, and State must collaborate on recommendations for higher education institutions regarding noncitizen monitoring, legal inadmissibility, and investigative actions. It is unclear what reporting will be expected from higher education institutions.
America First Directive to the Secretary of State
A Jan. 20 executive order indefinitely suspended all refugee admissions. Though the policy was scheduled to take effect on January 27, refugee arrivals were immediately halted, and scheduled resettlement flights were canceled upon the order’s signing. This suspension will remain in place until a revised system is implemented, with the Secretary of Homeland Security required to provide updates every 90 days. The suspension includes a complete freeze on applications for both the Welcome Corps and Welcome Corps on Campus programs.
Additional actions:
Rescission of the “Sensitive Locations” Policy
The Trump administration has revoked the “sensitive locations” policy, which had previously restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memo outlining a new approach to enforcement discretion.
The Trump administration's suspension of certain government funding has caused significant disruptions across multiple sectors, including higher education, immigration services, refugee resettlement, humanitarian aid, and community support programs. Universities have faced financial challenges as research grants and educational programs are cut, while immigration agencies have experienced delays and reduced services, complicating the legal status of immigrants.
Freezing of Federal Program Funding and Grants
The Trump administration's suspension of certain government funding has caused significant disruptions across multiple sectors, including higher education, immigration services, refugee resettlement, humanitarian aid, and community support programs. Universities have faced financial challenges as research grants and educational programs are cut, while immigration agencies have experienced delays and reduced services, complicating the legal status of immigrants.
Status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision
On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled the program unlawful. However, the court’s decision was limited in scope, and a stay was issued, meaning that current DACA recipients will not face immediate changes to their protections or benefits. The administration has not yet taken direct action on the DACA program.
This information was compiled with the assistance of resources provided by the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which has been instrumental in tracking the impacts of immigration policy on higher education
Visit here for an archived version of Lehigh University's International Education, Immigration, and Advocacy website as it appeared prior to the inauguration of the Trump administration.