With Donald Trump poised to take charge office in January, U.S. universities are urging international students to return to campus before the event, due to concerns over possible changes in immigration policies under President-elect Donald Trump. The move comes in response to Trump's pledge to carry out what he has called the “largest mass deportation program in history,” sparking fear of disruptions for international students.

Why Are Universities Concerned?
With Trump set to take office on January 20, numerous universities, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), are advising their international student populations to return to the U.S. before the inauguration.

UMass Amherst, which hosts more than 5,000 international students, issued a travel advisory urging students and faculty to return to the U.S. to avoid any potential issues. The university emphasized the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s new policies and the possibility of new travel restrictions.

“Given that a new presidential administration can enact new policies on their first day in office, and based on previous travel bans from the first Trump administration in 2016, this advisory is made out of caution,” UMass Amherst said. The university also noted that they couldn’t predict the specifics of any new travel bans, including which countries might be affected.

Similarly, MIT expressed concern over potential delays in travel and visa processing due to possible executive orders from the incoming administration.

Trump’s Immigration History
The concerns stem from Trump’s previous immigration policies, including a controversial travel ban imposed during his first term. The original ban, enacted in early 2017, restricted nearly all travelers and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries. While the ban was revised multiple times following legal challenges, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it in 2018.

Now, with Trump’s promise to enforce even stricter immigration measures, universities and students alike fear the return of similar disruptions, which could impact hundreds of thousands of international students and faculty.

International Students in the U.S.
The U.S. remains a popular destination for international students, with over 1.1 million enrolled for the 2023-2024 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Among the top countries of origin, India and China make up the largest share, representing 29% and 25% of the international student population, respectively.

Notable U.S. universities, including New York University, Northeastern University, Columbia University, and Arizona State University, host some of the highest numbers of international students. For the second consecutive year, India sent the most students to the U.S., with over 331,600 students enrolled in the 2023-2024 academic year—a 23% increase from the previous year.

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