Penn mobilizes aid for ~200 students affected by Trump’s renewed travel ban

PHILADELPHIA, PA — June 12, 2025 The University of Pennsylvania is scrambling to support approximately 200 current and incoming students from 12 countries targeted by President Trump’s latest travel ban, according to testimony before Penn’s board of trustees on Thursday .

The ban, effective June 9, bars entry for nationals of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It also suspends visa interview processing for new student applicants—prompting significant uncertainty about fall enrollment.

Jeffrey Cooper, Penn’s vice president for government and community affairs, warned trustees that the restrictions are “creating a lot of ambiguity, a lot of unknowns, and, most of all, … significant anxiety.” The university is actively examining flexible options, including deferring admission, late arrivals, or initiating studies abroad, senior administrators said.

Deputy Provost Beth Winkelstein described ongoing summer‐long work by Penn’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional councils to generate additional solutions before the fall semester begins. Penn enrolled nearly 6,903 international students in fall 2024, representing around a quarter of its student body.

The disruptions extend beyond academia—Penn’s medical mission is also impacted, with concerns that patients or family members from banned countries may face visa denials. University officials emphasized that reliable communication with the federal government has been severely lacking, complicating response efforts .

Trustees also heard updates on broader policy challenges, including federal research funding uncertainties and the potential effects of a proposed endowment tax increase. Penn remains “committed to providing timely guidance and resources” to all international students, academic leaders stressed

*Sources:
*https://www.inquirer.com/education/upenn-students-trump-travel-ban-20250612.html