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Fear and anxiety are sweeping across US college campuses as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20. With concerns of a renewed travel ban similar to the one enacted during his first term, some universities are urging international students to return early from their winter break to avoid potential disruptions.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 1.1 million international students were enrolled in US colleges and universities. However, Trump has announced plans for stricter immigration policies, including an expansion of his previous travel ban targeting citizens from predominantly Muslim countries and revoking student visas for individuals deemed “anti-American” or “radical.”
Most international students hold nonimmigrant visas that allow them to study in the US but do not provide a pathway to permanent residency. For many, the prospect of sudden policy changes has created a heightened sense of vulnerability.
Pramath Pratap Misra, a 23-year-old recent graduate from New York University (NYU), described the current climate as “a scary time for international students.” NYU, which hosted over 27,000 international students last year, has the largest population of such students in the country.
Universities across the US have been proactive in preparing their students for potential challenges. Cornell University, for example, advised international students to return before the January 21 start of the spring semester and warned of possible delays due to travel restrictions. A communication from the school suggested that the ban could target countries previously affected during Trump’s administration, including Iran, Libya, Syria, and Venezuela, with potential additions like China and India.
Similarly, the University of Southern California (USC), which enrolled over 17,000 international students last year, recommended that students return at least a week before Trump’s inauguration. The university warned that new executive orders affecting travel and visa processing might take effect, making early return the safest course of action.
Trump’s immigration rhetoric also includes promises of mass deportations, further complicating the situation for international students. Even those who have no plans to travel during winter break worry about how such policies could impact their ability to complete their studies. At the same time, Trump has pledged to “automatically” grant green cards to foreign nationals graduating from US colleges. However, his campaign later clarified that this proposal would apply only to “highly skilled” individuals, subject to stringent vetting to exclude those with anti-American views or who rely on public assistance.
Since making this proposal in June, Trump has remained silent on the specifics of his plan, leaving students and universities uncertain about its implementation.
Amid these challenges, some universities have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting international students. UCLA, for instance, stated it would not release immigration information about students without legal orders and emphasized its policy against collaborating with federal immigration enforcement without due cause.
As Trump’s inauguration approaches, international students find themselves navigating a precarious environment. For many, the uncertainty surrounding their education and future in the US highlights the fragility of their position in the country’s immigration system. While universities are taking steps to support their students, the coming months may bring significant challenges to those pursuing their dreams in the United States.
