More than a dozen U.S. universities have issued guidance to their international students, advising them to return to campus before the January 20, 2025, inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The move comes amid heightened concerns over potential immigration policy changes under the incoming administration.
President-elect Trump has consistently voiced hardline stances on immigration, including threats of mass deportations and the revocation of legal immigration statuses. His past actions, such as the implementation of a travel ban during his first term, left thousands stranded and raised alarm among international communities. Recently, Trump reiterated plans to revoke student visas for individuals he deems “radical anti-American and antisemitic.”
Cornell University highlighted the urgency in a notice directed at its international students, particularly those from nations such as Nigeria, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela. “The immigration landscape is likely to change under the new presidential administration,” the statement read, emphasizing the need for students to be proactive about their status and documentation.
Wesleyan University echoed these sentiments, urging students to arrive in the U.S. before January 19 to avoid potential complications with re-entry. “With uncertainties around President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for immigration-related policy, the safest way to avoid difficulty is to be physically present in the U.S.,” the university advised.
In the 2023-24 academic year, U.S. universities welcomed a record 1.1 million international students, a testament to the country’s reputation as a global education hub. However, the incoming administration’s rhetoric has cast a shadow of uncertainty over this population.
Harvard University also addressed student concerns, advising international students to “budget time ahead of the semester start” and prepare for possible delays or disruptions.
Institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Yale University, MIT, and the University of Southern California have issued similar statements, urging students to travel with additional documentation proving their connection to their respective colleges.
Source: KXAN Austin
