Washington: As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office on January 20, 2025, several U.S. colleges and universities are advising international students to return to campus before his inauguration, fearing potential reinstatement of travel bans similar to those imposed during his first presidency.
At least 10 universities, predominantly located on the East Coast, have issued strong recommendations for international students to return to the U.S. before Trump takes office. These institutions, which include well-known universities like the University of Southern California, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), are proactively ensuring that students are not caught in any potential travel or visa disruptions. The advisories reflect rising concerns over changes to U.S. immigration policies under Trump’s incoming administration, particularly regarding visa status and academic continuity for international students.
During his previous term, Trump had proposed measures such as ideological screening and the revocation of visas for students involved in protests. As the spring semester begins before Trump’s official inauguration at some schools, many international students are already required to return. However, schools are urging students whose U.S. stay depends on academic visas to act quickly and return as soon as possible to minimize risks associated with potential policy shifts.
More than a dozen U.S. colleges have issued these advisories, although Trump’s exact plans remain unclear. These schools are emphasizing that returning before January 20 would offer better security regarding international students’ academic futures and visa statuses.
Approximately 43,800 international students from 15 countries, which were previously affected by Trump’s travel bans, are particularly vulnerable. The bans primarily targeted students from predominantly Muslim-majority countries like Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia, along with students from regions facing political instability. The possibility of similar measures being reinstated under the new administration has prompted universities to take precautionary steps, urging students to return before the inauguration to safeguard their academic and visa status.
These developments highlight the critical role international students play in U.S. higher education, and the challenges they face amid shifting political climates. Universities are closely monitoring the situation and working to protect their international student populations from any disruptions that could arise from changes in immigration policy.
