Travel ban impacts Oregon’s largest public universities

The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Trump administration's travel restrictions on certain countries directly affects more than 180 international students at Oregon's largest public universities, sparking concern that it could mean the end of attracting students from Muslim-majority countries, like the ones affected by the travel ban, writes Rob Manning for Belleville News-Democrat.

Portland State University (PSU) has students from five of the seven travel-ban countries, and officials say if any of those students go home, they either can’t return here or it’s risky. Director of Media and Public Relations Ken Ma released a statement saying the biggest effect would be on two PSU students from Syria. “Under the current travel ban, those students would not be permitted back in the United States if they return to Syria,” said the statement.

Director of International Student Services Christina Luther clarified that Syria’s situation is tougher because it was treated differently in the travel ban. “According to the proclamation, entry is suspended for all non-immigrant visa categories,” Luther said. “In the case of [other countries], their nationals can still apply for student-scholar visas.” But PSU officials said that distinction creates a situation that's only slightly better for the 47 PSU students from Iran, Libya, Venezuela and Yemen. Oregon State University also has a substantial international student population.
Full report on the Belleville News-Democrat site