As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, his inauguration in January 2025 has raised concerns about possible changes to US immigration policies at colleges and universities. Universities across the country have issued advisories to international students, urging them to plan their travel carefully in anticipation of stricter rules under the new administration, CNN reported.
Donald Trump defeated Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. He will be formally sworn in for a second term as US President on January 20.
According to the International Student Statistics of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, on November 18, 1,126,690 international students from more than 210 countries of origin studied at U.S. higher education institutions in the 2023-2024 academic year. This figure is 7 percent higher than the previous academic year.
Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, Cornell University’s Office of Global Learning posted on its website that the immigration landscape is likely to change under the new presidential administration, advising international students to return before the start of the next semester, which begins on January 21 next year, or “speak to an advisor about travel plans and be prepared for delays.”
“The travel ban is likely to go into effect soon after the inauguration. The ban is likely to include citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia, countries targeted during the first Trump administration. New countries, such as China and India, could be added to the list. International students and scholars outside of these ‘areas of concern’ are unlikely to be affected by the travel ban or targeted visa suspensions,” Cornell University’s Office of Global Learning said.
The office said, “International students, faculty, and staff from the countries listed are advised to return to the United States before the semester beginning January 21, 2025. If this is not possible, discuss your travel plans with an advisor and be prepared for delays.” According to student-led media site USC Annenberg Media, the University of Southern California Office of International Services has warned international students that the “safest way to avoid any challenges” related to travel is to be physically present in the U.S. before the start of the spring semester on Jan. 13.
In a message to students on November 6, UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy said the results of the 2024 presidential election raise serious questions for immigrant communities across the United States. “The incoming Trump administration’s policies and statements will have a lasting impact on millions of immigrants. This includes those who are part of the University of California (UC) as students, staff, and faculty. In accordance with UC policy, the university will not release immigration status or related information contained in confidential student records unless required by judicial warrant, subpoena, court order, or otherwise required by law,” UCLA said.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has urged students to “not base decisions based on social media and news reports or rumors that predict new policies/rules.” The university has also advised students to evaluate travel plans during winter break.
“The new administration will be sworn in on January 20, 2025. New executive orders that could impact travel and visa processing may go into effect on or after that date. Students who must apply for a new entry visa at a U.S. embassy/consulate to return to the United States as students should assess the potential for longer processing times and make alternative plans if they must travel abroad and wait for a new entry visa to be issued. Any processing delays could impact students’ ability to return to the United States as planned,” it said.
Trump promised to address a range of domestic issues, including immigration and inflation, during his 2024 presidential campaign. He has signaled a return to his “America First” foreign policy. He has also confirmed that he will declare a national emergency to allow mass deportations of immigrants living in the US without legal permission.
