Photo courtesy of Malu Garuba.
Students from all around the world come to SAU to find success. For some, it is to continue participating in athletics alongside pursuing their academic career, something not possible in their home. For others, it is to get an education that leads to a career in the United States. For SAU senior Malu Garuba, it is both.
“I am part of the women’s soccer team here at SAU,” says Malu. “I major in Multimedia Journalism with a minor in Public Relations. I intern at a local station. I am from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.”
However, Malu has some concerns with the status in the United States. “The new administration has a harsh anti-immigration policy and I know they might want to make the process of getting a visa even harder,” she says. “For me, that’s very concerning because I am about to graduate this May, and I wonder if I will be able to stay in the country or not.
“Even if I can, I have been wondering if the United States will still be a pleasant country to be in while being an immigrant. Within less than two weeks of him in power I have already seen a lot of racism hidden as nationalism, and I am scared of what’s next.”
Despite the fear, Malu came to the United States full of hope.
“I always wanted to play soccer and study in the U.S. So, when I was 18, I went to a community college in Kansas. After graduating from their community college, I was looking for a place to transfer where I could continue my athletic and academic career. That’s when Ambrose fell into my lap.
“After emailing some coaches I received an offer from St. Ambrose, and because they had a winning women’s soccer program and a great journalism course I knew here was the perfect fit for me.”
Unlike most students, however, Malu had to take an extra step to study here at SAU. This step was obtaining a student visa.
A student visa is a passport for non-immigrating students that allows them to enter and stay in the United States for a specified period of time. Normally, this is up until the time of their graduation.
SAU International Student Advisor Ricki Grover gives us the details on how obtaining one of these visas works. “The process starts in their home countries,” Grover says. “They have an interview at a consulate.
“Getting an interview can be very hard depending on what country they are from and how long they have to wait. It can range anywhere from eight days to over a year. It really depends on what city you’re going to be in. A lot of times students travel to another country to have the visa appointment there. It’s a ton of paperwork on that side and a pretty intense interview process.”
Malu explains how intense her experience was. “The process to get a student visa can be very stressful.
“I had to fill out some documents, pay some fees, and schedule my interview. I remember I was really nervous. They asked me a few questions, I presented some documents like financial stuff and also proof that I was accepted into the school, and thankfully, I got approved.”
Although international students studying in the United States are approved on U.S. soil, not all feel it will stay this way in light of the new immigration policies put in place earlier this year. After inauguration day President Donald Trump began workplace round-ups for illegal immigrant deportations and promised to end birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, stirring up conversation at SAU.
Although these policies are directed toward illegal immigrants, some SAU students and staff are directing their attention to the future of student visa denials. “It’s having an impact on feelings,” says Grover, “but on direct denial rates we don’t have those numbers. However, it’s impacting people even wanting to try to come to the U.S.”
For Malu, these feelings are very real. “I am very worried,” she says. “I am definitely aware of my privilege and how I am not in the worst position right now compared to others, but I am still very scared for my future in the United States.”
However, not every international student is concerned. “I generally think the new immigration policies and deportation strategies being implemented are a good thing,” says an SAU international student who wishes to remain anonymous.
“Probably not all, but I think most international students who come to the United States get an education here with the intent of eventually immigrating to the United States in the hopes of escaping the economic situations or political situations present in their home country.
“One of the issues my country faces is a government that does little to protect its people from illegal immigration and the consequences that follow, like the loss of jobs to the general citizen, the loss of taxes, the undocumented crime and the force of a foreign culture.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do, but what happens when Rome is no longer Roman? Then they have subsequently been destroyed,” he says. “We as internationals have worked tirelessly to enter the country legally, and to eventually become legal residents. We want the country we are joining to be resilient and have high scrutiny. This is the reason we wanted to join the United States in the first place.”
As for the future of student visas, this SAU international student appears unconcerned. “President Trump has repeatedly stated that he supports the student visa,” he says. “That’s one reason the United States has most of the world’s geniuses. It offers internationals an opportunity for education and financial success that is typically unachievable in their home country.”
For another SAU international student who also wishes to remain anonymous, it is the student visa process that eliminates worry. “It was a long process. There are a lot of exams you have to take to ensure you know the language, then you have to translate all your documents and high school grades,” he says as he shares his experience. “Once you do that and you get accepted into the college you have to start the process at the embassy where they check your background and then they interview you. After all that you obtain the visa until your graduation date.”
As for the new policies, “I believe that some of the policies that have been taken are okay. Some of the immigrants in the US are on illegal status, and I think that people who do not have the required documentation should not be in the country. Everyone has to adhere to the policies and the laws of the country where they are living.
“I do not believe these new policies will affect the students since they must undergo a different process, with a different type of documentation,” he says.
Regardless of the future, international students have achieved at SAU. Malu and the women’s soccer team crushed their 2024 season campaign and were named CCAC regular-season champions as well as CCAC Tournament Champions. On top of this, Malu received a 3rd place award for best podcast series at the ICMA awards on February 6th. Despite the uncertainty, international students like Malu continue to give it their all to achieve their goals.
