As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration, several U.S. colleges and universities are urging international students to return to campus before January 20, 2025. These institutions are concerned that Trump may reinstate travel bans similar to those he imposed during his first presidency.
At least 10 universities, primarily located on the East Coast, have issued strong recommendations for international students to return to the U.S. before  Trump's taking charge office on January 20, 2025. These institutions, which include prestigious names such as the University of Southern California, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), are taking proactive measures to ensure that students are not caught in potential disruptions to travel or visa status. The advisories reflect growing concerns over possible changes to U.S. immigration policies under the incoming administration, prompting universities to prioritize their international student populations' safety and academic continuity.
Trump had previously suggested that he would impose ideological screening and revoke the visas of students involved in protests. With the spring semester beginning before Trump's official inauguration at some schools, many international students may already be required to return. However, schools are advising those whose U.S. stay depends on academic visas to return as soon as possible to minimize potential risks.
More than a dozen U.S. colleges have issued these advisories, even though Trump’s exact plans are still unclear. These schools emphasize that returning before January 20 would offer international students better security regarding their academic future in the U.S.
Among the international student population, approximately 43,800 students come from the 15 countries that were impacted by Trump’s travel bans during his first term. These restrictions primarily affected students from predominantly Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia, as well as others from regions facing political unrest. The potential for similar measures to be reinstated under the incoming administration has led many universities to issue travel advisories for international students, urging them to return before the inauguration to avoid disruption to their academic and visa status.
These developments underscore the vital role that international students play in U.S. higher education and the complex challenges they may face amid shifting political landscapes. Universities are closely monitoring the situation, working to protect their international student populations from any potential disruptions caused by changes in immigration policy.
