WASHINGTON – The Trump administration announced Friday it is reinstating student visas that were recently terminated, a move that directly affects dozens of international students at Florida universities.
According to officials, the reversal will restore visas for 18 students at Florida International University, eight at the University of Miami, eight at the University of Florida, and three at Florida State University.
The decision comes as President Donald Trump departs for Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Before boarding Marine One, Trump addressed ongoing developments in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“I think Russia and Ukraine – I think they are coming along,” Trump said, referencing renewed ceasefire negotiations.
The White House confirmed it has dispatched real estate executive-turned-envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“They are meeting with Putin right now as we speak,” Trump told reporters. “And we have a lot of things going on and I think in the end we are going to end up with a lot of good deals.”
Sources familiar with the administration’s latest peace proposal say it includes Ukraine surrendering all territories occupied by Russia since the start of the 2022 invasion, including Crimea.
Trump indicated he may discuss the plan with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while in Rome.
“We’re going to meet with a lot of the foreign leaders – they want to meet, trade deals are going well,” Trump said.
The president also fielded questions about China and the ongoing trade war. Beijing remains under a 145% tariff, and when asked whether he has spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping recently, Trump said, “I don’t want to comment on that but I’ve spoken to him many times.”
