Lobo, who was born in India, grew up in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and now holds a passport from the United Kingdom, said that the policy changes "throw any sort of semblance of planning out the window."
"Information hasn't been very forthcoming recently, and that really leaves us and our imaginations to run wild in terms of what the fall semester is going to look like," Lobo told CNA.
Even after the ICE policy was rescinded, Lobo said that a lot of uncertainty remains. Since the university has stressed the value of the in-person experience, it may continue to encourage international students, especially first year students, to take a leave of absence.
The ACCU also voiced concern for first year students.
"Yesterday's decision resolved these issues for existing international students. We hope the administration will address the needs of new international students using the same flexibility during this pandemic," the organization said in a statement.
Lobo said that not only are international students enriched by the campus experience, but the campus is enriched by a diverse student body. This fall, though, the campus will likely not be as diverse.
International students offer "a diversity of thought, opinion, background, and experience," said Lobo. "But the way things are looking, much of what Notre Dame prides in terms of diversity will simply be absent from fall semester on campus."
Julie Sullivan, President of St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minnesota, said in a statement that international students are an "integral and cherished part of the fabric of our community."
"We are very grateful for the diverse, global perspectives our international students bring to the St. Thomas community, our state and our country," Sullivan said.