To: Wellesley College Community
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: Information regarding our international community
Date: November 21, 2024
I know many of you are reflecting on the recent election and have questions about the possible impact the incoming presidential administration will have on higher education and our international students, faculty, and staff. While policy changes can be expected after every election, it is still too early to predict what will actually be implemented. Executive orders can be issued quickly, but other mechanisms, such as congressional legislation and federal regulations, require formal processes that take time to implement.
The Slater International Center has already provided recommendations to our international students and will continue to update this group as more information becomes available. Faculty and staff should refer students with questions relating to immigration and visa status to the team members at Slater, who are best able to support them with accurate, up-to-date details.
Executive orders that may have an impact on travel and visa processing could be implemented as soon as Monday, January 20, 2025, when the new president takes office. We advise international students to follow the Residential Life spring move-in schedule and return to campus in the days before January 20. (Classes begin on January 21, 2025). In addition, staffing transitions and turnover at U.S. embassies and consulates could affect entry visa processing times, so individuals requiring updated visas should plan ahead. Families of our graduating seniors who may require tourist visas to attend commencement should also consider starting this process early.
Looking beyond the spring semester, Career Education stands ready to assist our international students in finding opportunities in the U.S. for summer internships. We encourage you to reach out as soon as possible to Christopher De La Cerda, Susan L. Wagner ’82 director of career advising and inclusive excellence initiatives, to identify these options.
Slater International Center has invited immigration attorney Mary Walsh, of Iandoli Desai & Cronin in Boston, to give webinar presentations to our community on December 3 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m and December 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. She will focus on current issues relevant primarily to our international student community, but all faculty, staff, and students are welcome to attend. We also plan to offer a session with her on employment-related immigration issues for faculty and staff on December 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (These sessions will not be recorded.) Please register to receive a link to access one of these presentations.
Slater will host an in-person travel questions and travel signature day on December 4 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., where international students can walk in to ask any questions related to travel.
I know this is a time of uncertainty, but our experience with past presidential transitions will help us navigate legislative and policy changes. As we learn more about potential changes, we will offer additional information and presentations related to issues of concern for our community.
Thank you to all the staff and faculty who are focused on supporting and guiding our students in the weeks and months ahead.
