December 20, 2024

As the U.S. prepares for the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, many universities are urging international students, faculty, and staff to return to the U.S. before the new administration takes office. The advice is driven by concerns that Trump may enact swift executive actions that could restrict entry to the U.S., similar to his actions during his previous presidency.

Trump's 2017 travel bans, which initially targeted several Muslim-majority countries, left thousands of international students stranded abroad, unable to return to their universities. While President Biden lifted these restrictions in 2021, Trump has indicated he plans to reinstate them if re-elected. As a result, colleges nationwide advise international students to be in the U.S. by January 19, 2025, to avoid any disruptions to their studies or immigration status.

The guidance from these universities reflects growing concerns about potential changes in the U.S. immigration landscape under the new administration. California's University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems, home to large international student populations, have warned international and undocumented students traveling abroad for winter break. "We encourage international students to complete their travel and return to the U.S. before January 20," stated the UC Office of the President. UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, and the private University of Southern California are among the institutions advising students to take action now to avoid potential issues with re-entry.

Similarly, other universities with significant international student populations, such as Cornell University, Wesleyan University, and Harvard, are urging students to return early. "The immigration landscape is likely to change under the new presidential administration," Cornell University warned, particularly singling out students from countries including Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia.

Echoing similar concerns, Wesleyan University stated, "The safest way to avoid difficulty re-entering the country is to be physically present in the U.S. on January 19 and the days thereafter for the spring semester." Harvard and other schools, including Johns Hopkins University and Brown University, are advising international students to plan ahead and factor in additional time for re-entry before the spring semester begins.

With the possibility of immigration restrictions or heightened scrutiny, universities also advise international students to travel with additional documentation confirming their ties to their U.S. college, including proof of enrollment, housing, or a letter from the university.

In the 2023-24 academic year, a record 1.1 million international students attended American colleges, contributing to campus diversity, enriching academic research, and enriching campuses culturally and economically. While potential changes to U.S. immigration policy is a concern, there is a silver lining. Universities across the U.S. are taking proactive steps to support their international student communities. By offering clear guidance and staying in close communication, institutions are helping students navigate this period of uncertainty. Moreover, while the possibility of new restrictions exists, no official changes have been announced yet. 

While there is no certainty that Trump will immediately implement new travel restrictions, universities are taking precautions to help their international communities avoid disruptions. By advising students to return before January 20 and emphasizing the importance of planning ahead, schools are helping to ensure that their students can continue their education without disruption.