Kristen RidleyMajor U.S. universities are advising their international students to return to campus before President-elect Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration, citing concerns over potential immigration policy changes.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Office of Global Affairs has issued an advisory recommending students return before the inauguration, drawing from their experience with travel restrictions during Trump’s first term.
The 2023-24 academic year marked a historic milestone for international enrollment, with over 1.1 million international students in U.S. institutions. India has surpassed China as the leading source of international students for the first time since 2009, with 331,602 Indian students enrolled.
David Elwell, Associate Dean at MIT’s International Students Office, emphasized that administrative transitions often lead to policy shifts affecting immigration and higher education[5]. “Students who would need to apply for a new entry visa should assess the possibility of facing extensive processing times,” he cautioned.
Professor Chloe East of the University of Colorado Denver highlighted widespread concerns among students. “All international students are anxious at this moment,” she noted.
The advisories follow Trump’s campaign promises of extensive immigration reform. During his previous term, his administration implemented various restrictions, including a travel ban affecting several Muslim-majority nations and attempts to limit student visa durations.
Yale University, Wesleyan University, and other institutions have organized informational sessions to address student concerns about potential immigration changes. These universities serve a diverse international community, with STEM disciplines attracting over half of all international students.
Citations:
[1] https://www.highereddive.com/news/colleges-international-students-warning-return-before-trump-takes-office-visa/734085/
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxvz4re5y1o
[3] https://www.npr.org/2024/11/26/g-s1-35654/trump-international-students-visa-colleges-universities
[4] https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/f1-visa-what-does-trump-2-0-mean-for-international-students/
[5] https://www.businesstoday.in/education/story/return-before-january-20-us-universities-warn-foreign-students-ahead-of-donald-trumps-swearing-in-455698-2024-11-29
[6] https://www.business-standard.com/finance/personal-finance/return-before-trump-inauguration-in-jan-us-colleges-warn-foreign-students-124112700407_1.html
[7] https://www.yahoo.com/news/foreign-students-us-worried-trump-000759509.html
[8] https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/us-universities-urge-foreign-students-to-return-before-trump-s-swearing-in-124112901024_1.html
[9] https://www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pages/Trump-Administration-Withdraws-Directive-Banning-International-Students.aspx
[10] https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/27/texas-border-lawsuit-razor-wire-fence/
[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcYkGXIwx9A
