Donald Trump will be sworn in as President on January 20 and has announced that he plans to sign multiple executive orders related to the economy and immigration on his first day in office.
In response, many U.S. universities have warned their international students and staff about possible travel restrictions under Trump’s administration. Trump’s inauguration to avoid any problems with travel bans that could be put in place after he takes office.
Donald Trump will take the oath of office on January 20 and has announced that he plans to sign executive orders on the economy and immigration on his first day as president.
Due to worries about possible travel bans, which caused disruptions during his first term, several leading U.S. universities are now advising their international students and staff to be cautious if they plan to travel outside the country around Trump’s inauguration. These travel advisories are meant to help avoid any issues with re-entering the U.S. after the inauguration.
Data from the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Institute of International Education shows that India and China together account for more than half (54%) of all international students in the United States.
For the first time since 2009, India has become the leading country of origin for international students, with 331,602 students in the U.S. during the 2023/2024 academic year. This marks a 23% increase from the previous year, surpassing China, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange.
China is still the second-largest source of international students in the U.S., although the number of students from China dropped by 4%, totaling 277,398. It continues to be the leading country for sending undergraduate students (87,551) and non-degree students (5,517) to the U.S.
David Elwell, the Associate Dean and Director of MIT’s International Students Office, shared a message after the presidential elections. He highlighted that changes in the U.S. government often lead to new policies, regulations, and laws, which can affect both higher education and immigration matters, including visa issues for international students. He explained that when the U.S. government changes, it often brings new policies and laws that can impact higher education, immigration, and visa matters.
Elwell encouraged students to carefully consider their travel plans for the upcoming winter break. He pointed out that new executive orders under Trump could affect travel and the processing of visas.
He also mentioned that transitions in government can lead to changes in staffing at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad, which might slow down the processing of entry visas.
David Elwell advised students who need to apply for a new entry visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad to be aware of possible delays in processing. He recommended that students plan ahead and have a backup option in case they face long wait times for their visas. Any delays could affect their ability to return to the U.S. as planned.
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, also issued a similar advisory to its international community, including students, scholars, faculty, and staff. The Office of Global Affairs urged them to consider returning to the U.S. before the presidential inauguration if they plan to travel internationally during the winter break. This advice is meant to avoid potential issues with travel and visa processing.
The University of Massachusetts made it clear that their advisory was not a requirement or based on any current U.S. government policy. However, they explained that, due to past experiences with travel bans under President Trump’s first administration in 2017, they were offering this advice as a precaution. They want to help prevent any possible travel issues for international students, faculty, and staff, especially with a new president taking office on January 20, when new policies could be announced.
The university also said they couldn’t predict what a travel ban might look like or which countries or regions could be affected if one is put in place.
Similarly, Wesleyan University’s student newspaper, The Wesleyan Argus, reported that the university has been closely watching how the new administration could impact international and undocumented students.
There is significant uncertainty regarding potential changes to U.S. immigration policies once the Trump administration begins on January 20, 2025. The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) at Wesleyan University has voiced concerns about possible major policy changes that could take effect shortly after Trump takes office.
To avoid any trouble with re-entering the U.S., Wesleyan advised international students on F-1 visas to be physically in the U.S. by January 19, 2025, and stay there for the start of the spring semester. This advice was sent to students in an email on November 18.
In January 2017, during his first term, Trump signed an executive order banning nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen) from entering the U.S. for 90 days. This caused major disruptions and sparked protests and concerns from civil rights groups.
