On Dec. 16, the Trump administration announced the expansion of its June 2025 travel ban, which fully or partially restricts travel to the United States from 39 countries.
The ban resulted in visa-processing backlogs, which prevented six international students admitted for the spring 2026 semester from enrolling at UP, according to Michael Pelley, director of International Student Services and International Admissions.
Pelley says that the restrictions have not prevented any currently-enrolled students from returning to campus.
Once accepted to UP, the prospective international student applies for a visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of residence in order to legally study in the United States.
Due to the U.S. Department of State’s heightened review of student visa applications, however, the interview process is much slower, with admitted students reporting an inability to obtain an appointment, according to Pelley.
Pelley says the six affected students are from Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania and Iran.
Nigeria, Malawi and Tanzania are partially restricted countries, where some travelers can still enter the U.S. Travelers from Iran are prohibited from entering unless they qualify for an exception.
Professor of political science Anne Santiago says the Trump administration is taking a strong nationalist stance by initiating travel restrictions.
“It's the role of every government to put their people first,” Santiago said. “But the Trump administration has taken an extreme position where they're blaming [international] people for some of the issues that we have in the United States.”
Pelley says international students admitted for the fall 2026 semester are currently trying to secure student visa appointments, which will determine their ability to study on The Bluff.
Any additional changes in travel policy will be monitored and communicated to current and prospective students by the international admissions and recruitment team, according to Pelley.
Kalena O’Connell is the News and Managing Editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at oconnell27@up.edu.
