New York: Amid concerns over potential travel bans under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, several American universities have issued travel advisories for international students and staff. They are urging them to return to the US before Trump’s inauguration in January next year.
Trump, set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, has announced plans to sign executive orders addressing immigration and economic policies on his first day in office.
In light of possible disruptions caused by such measures, many leading US universities are advising international students and faculty who are currently abroad to ensure their timely return around the inauguration period.
Data from the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Institute of International Education reveals that India and China together account for over 54% of all international students in the United States.
For the first time since 2009, India became the top country of origin for international students in the United States during the 2023/2024 academic year, with 331,602 students—a 23% increase from the previous year—surpassing China, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange.
China, now the second-largest sender, experienced a 4% decline, with 277,398 students. Despite this, it remained the top contributor of undergraduates (87,551) and non-degree students (5,517) to US institutions.
David Elwell, Associate Dean and Director at MIT’s International Students Office, highlighted the potential impact of administrative changes following presidential elections. "When there is a change in administration at the federal level, there can be shifts in policies, regulations, and legislation that affect higher education, immigration, and visa matters," Elwell stated in a post-election update.
He advised students to review their travel plans during the winter break, noting that executive orders under the incoming Trump administration could influence visa processing and travel. Staffing transitions at US embassies and consulates might also lead to delays in issuing entry visas, potentially disrupting students’ ability to return to the US as planned.
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, issued a similar advisory through its Office of Global Affairs, urging international students, scholars, and faculty under UMass immigration sponsorship to return to the US before the presidential inauguration if planning international travel. While not mandatory, the advisory stemmed from concerns about potential travel disruptions based on prior experiences with travel bans during Trump’s first term in 2017.
“We cannot predict what a potential travel ban might entail or which countries or regions could be affected,” the advisory noted, emphasizing caution to prevent inconvenience for members of the international community.
At Wesleyan University, the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) also raised concerns about potential policy changes. A report in The Wesleyan Argus noted that the university has been evaluating possible impacts of the Trump administration on international and undocumented students.
"Given the uncertainty surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration plans, the safest way to avoid re-entry issues is to be physically present in the US on January 19 and during the start of the spring semester," stated an email to international students holding F-1 visas, as reported by The Argus.
This cautionary approach comes in light of Trump’s previous executive order in January 2017, which banned nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US for 90 days. The order caused widespread disruptions, sparking protests and raising concerns among civil rights organizations about the implications for affected communities.
Comments