Living Under Renewed Fear: Immigrant Students' Mental Health and Academic Engagement at the University of Washington Bothell

Abstract

The current immigration climate in the United States has created significant challenges for many immigrant and international students, with potential implications for their mental health, academic engagement, and overall educational experiences. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how the current immigration climate affects immigrant and international students at the University of Washington Bothell. Semi-structured interviews and written responses from five immigrant and international students enrolled at the University of Washington Bothell. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants described immigration-related uncertainty as influencing their emotional well-being, perceptions of safety, academic experiences, and future employment planning. At the same time, family support, personal coping strategies, faith, and campus resources emerged as important protective factors that promoted resilience and academic persistence. Participants also recommended stronger institutional communication, expanded culturally responsive support services, and greater opportunities for peer connection and belonging. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on immigrant student experiences by demonstrating that immigration-related uncertainty affects multiple aspects of students' educational lives while highlighting the important role of higher education institutions in promoting student well-being and academic success.