Montgomery College’s international students have not faced any F-1 visa revocations, but they remain anxious about the new administration’s immigration policies and the stability of their legal status.
The F-1 visa allows international students to pursue higher education at U.S. colleges and universities. According to the Montgomery College Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, 1,152 students held F-1 visas at Montgomery College in fall 2024.
Of the 18,835 students enrolled at Montgomery College in fall 2024, 7,793 reported being undocumented, according to the Montgomery College Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.
“I will still be on the edge about my visa and about everything else, because of all the restrictions that F-1 visa holds. It still leaves me uneasy sometimes and unsafe, and worried about what would happen next,” says first year student Kristen Julie.
In late March 2025, over 70 schools across the country reported federal authorities had revoked some of their student F-1 visas, including Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
MCM surveyed 18 Montgomery College foreign students. Ten said they were unaware of the visa revocations occurring at other institutions in Maryland, like the University of Maryland and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
“I didn’t know they were being reinstated. I have just focused on all the deportations. I haven’t really done any more research on that, as it caused a lot of mental health stress for me, thinking about my visa, thinking about my own safety,” says Julie.
Out of the 18 students surveyed, 15 expressed feeling stressed and concerned for their peers with F-1 visas.
The federal government’s actions have affected not just F-1 visa holders but also students with birthright citizenship.
Second year student J Granados-Villatoro says, “Being someone who has birthright citizenship, I never thought I’d have a target on my back.” Granados-Villatoro adds, “It’s insane to know that because of one’s appearance, we can be targeted and believed to be a specific person.”
The uncertainty and worry are not just felt among students. The three international coordinators on Montgomery College’s faculty expressed their anxiety.
International Coordinator Heather Dellinger says, “I’ve been doing this type of work for 14 years. I’ve never seen anything like this before.” She added, “It’s very difficult to not be able to give students the reassurance that they need during this time, and to instead have to tell them, I’m sorry, but I really don’t know either. It’s very difficult.”
Montgomery College hopes it, “Will get less scrutiny, and our students will be able to continue without having to worry about their status being revoked,” according to Dellinger.
Staff and faculty continue to provide support to students, especially in one-on-one meetings when students look for counsel.
