As the U.S. braces for Donald Trump’s second term, many universities are advising international students to return to campus before his January 20 inauguration due to fears over potential changes in immigration policy. This advice stems from Trump’s previous and current promises to tighten immigration laws, which could disrupt international students’ academic plans.
In the 2023-24 academic year, the U.S. hosted over 1.1 million international students. Now, their future in the country seems uncertain as Trump has pledged to revoke student visas for those he labels as “radical anti-American” or “antisemitic,” and to broaden the travel ban to potentially include countries like China and India.
Pramath Pratap Misra, a recent NYU graduate, where the largest number of international students study in the U.S., shared, “It’s a scary time for international students.” The anxiety is palpable across campuses, with universities like Cornell suggesting students reconsider international travel or return early. Cornell’s Office of Global Learning has cautioned that a travel ban might be enforced soon after the inauguration, potentially impacting students from nations previously affected by Trump’s policies, and others like China and India.
Similarly, the University of Southern California (USC) has recommended that its international students be back in the U.S. one week before the spring semester starts on January 13, 2025, to circumvent possible disruptions from executive orders related to travel and visa processing.
Trump’s border immigration agenda, including “mass deportations,” could significantly impact not just students but various sectors like agriculture, construction, healthcare, and hospitality. However, his proposal to offer green cards to top graduates from U.S. colleges remains ambiguous, with unclear criteria that exclude certain political or ideological stances.
In response, universities are taking protective measures. For example, UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy has pledged not to share immigration data without a legal mandate, and its campus police will not assist federal immigration enforcement.
As the inauguration nears, the future for international students remains uncertain, with universities stepping up to shield their students from potential policy shifts. However, the real impact will only be clear once the new administration’s policies are set in motion.
Legal Perspective on International Students’ Rights:
A U.S. attorney at law, Sudeep Bose ESQ, shared his views on this matter on social media: “Headlines like this are nothing but propaganda. International students: If you are here in the United States and in compliance with the terms of your F1 (not out of status for doing things like not going to school and working for cash under the table for some uncle) and face any challenges from government agents, call me. I will help you.”