College Recruiter Weighs In As Trump Policy Temporarily Blocked

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A sigh of relief for Caribbean students studying in the U.S, as a recent court ruling has blocked a Trump administration move that would’ve stopped international admissions at Harvard.

While the decision keeps the doors open for now, questions still loom about what’s next for students from our region.

Our News spoke with an international recruiter who’s sounding the alarm.

It was a controversial order that shook the global academic community and an attempt by the Trump administration to halt Harvard University’s admissions of international students.

And while a federal judge has placed that directive on hold, the ripple effects could still be felt far beyond Harvard’s walls including in our region. 


Dr. Alexandria Pinder has been recruiting and advocating for Afro-Caribbean and Bahamian students for over a decade.

And while Harvard doesn’t have a large Bahamian student population, she says what happens to Harvard could set the tone for other American schools.

Dr. Alexandria Pinder – International Student Recruiter

“ Harvard being the leading university, the United States, everybody looks to them to see what they’re going to be doing in order to see, you know, if they break, will they stand?”

So what’s behind the stand off between the government and the university in the first place?

Dr. Alexandria Pinder – International Student Recruiter

“ They ask the other institutions, right? Which was report different things. One, they’re international students, um, such as, you know, any in infractions, any, you know, records of students, being arrested off campus or anything of that nature. Um, they did not do it.”

Dr. Pinder says many students are already feeling the pressure. Some have had their status terminated not by Washington, but by school officials who report to immigration.

Dr. Alexandria Pinder – International Student Recruiter

“ It had a lot to do with the DSO officers in their reporting the information at the institution. I’ve even had students, whose funding, was put at risk, because of their religious belief at some institutions, surprisingly.”

And the rules also change from state to state. Dr. Pinder says students in places like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina are feeling the most nervous.

Dr. Alexandria Pinder – International Student Recruiter

“Florida now has a law in place that if you are arrested, for whatever reason you, your stuff can be terminated and there police department is able to report to U-S-C-I-S right away, right. That’s comparing not to, other States are not doing that and so that’s fair for the students of increased even much higher than before.”

There are over 15,000 Afro-Caribbean students currently studying in the U.S. and Bahamians make up the second largest group.

She warns too many students aren’t paying attention to the rules that come with their visas and that could be a big mistake.

Dr. Alexandria Pinder – International Student Recruiter

“ This is the time to make sure you are following every, um, regulation possible to make sure that you are not risking your funding, your, um, immigration status in this country and so on.”

Dr. Pinder encourages all students to check in with their international offices and get clear on the rules.