Troy

Talha Anwar hasn't seen his parents in a year.

Now in his third year of graduate studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the 24-year-old was recently contemplating a visit back home to Lahore, Pakistan — until Friday, that is, when news came that President Donald Trump was barring individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries and all refugees from entering the U.S.

Pakistan was not one of the countries listed in the ban. Yet Anwar's first thought was whether it would be wise for him to leave the country, as he is here on a student visa. He also said he feels targeted because of his Muslim faith.

"I'm afraid if I go I might not be let back in," he said, "and I want to continue my education."

This concern has been echoed by students nationwide, and on Wednesday it prompted roughly 200 RPI students, faculty and community members to march from the campus on the hill through downtown Troy in a "show of support" for international students, Muslims, and any others who may feel threatened by a Trump presidency.

Around 200 @RPI students, faculty and community members attend a rally in Troy today in protest of anti-immigrant rhetoric, policies pic.twitter.com/bqMFmahqHe — bethany bump (@bethanybump) February 1, 2017

The march began at the '86 field on campus and proceeded down the winding granite staircase known as "The Approach," crossed 8th Street and 6th Avenue, attracted attention from restaurant and business patrons along Broadway, before ending at Monument Square near River Street. Students chanted "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here" and held signs bearing slogans like "Diversity is our success" and "I love my Muslim neighbor!"

Police blocked streets to allow the safe passage of protesters, who remained at Monument Square for 30 minutes as individuals shared their concerns and hopes for the future.

"No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here" chant down Broadway in Troy #travelban pic.twitter.com/Dg4CQSqA9u — bethany bump (@bethanybump) February 1, 2017

Ahmad Abu-Hakmeh, a graduate student of Palestinian background and Muslim faith, urged students to seek out and "give a shoulder" to their international peers, who may be grappling with whether to return home for the summer.

"We know what's been said against refugees and Muslims in recent days," he said. "But this is not a new and unique problem. Today it's Muslims. Earlier in the campaign and continually there were things said about women and Mexicans and other groups. Who might it be tomorrow? So I'm saying, let this struggle be everybody's struggle."

The crowd — which included many first-time protesters, as well as students from the University at Albany, Sage Colleges and Hudson Valley Community College — was urged to continue resistance efforts over the next four years of Trump's term.

In a statement issued Sunday, RPI President Shirley Ann Jackson said the university would be reaching out to students, faculty and others it believes may be affected by the travel ban, and encouraged these individuals to postpone international travel until more information is available.

University officials have not yet released a figure for how many students are directly affected by the ban. About 11 percent of undergraduate students at RPI are from other countries, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.