U.S. universities are warning international students to return to campus before President Donald Trump’s inauguration in preparation for a repeat of travel bans seen during President Donald Trump’s first term.
More than a dozen schools in the United States have issued recommendations. Some students will have to return soon anyway, as the spring semester begins before the next president’s inauguration, but those who rely on academic visas may be at risk, so the decision will be made on Jan. 20. Some students are warning that they should return to campus in time for President Trump’s inauguration.
President Trump’s travel ban plans remain unclear, but the president-elect has threatened to impose travel bans, as he did by executive order during his first term, including Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, and other countries. Somalia and Yemen.
This includes students and faculty at higher education institutions. More than 40,000 people have been denied visas as a result of the ban, according to the U.S. State Department.
The list of schools includes Ivy League universities such as Harvard University and Brown University, Boston schools such as Northeastern University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other schools across the country from Johns Hopkins University to the University of Southern California. I am. Some schools offer classes that begin the day after the inauguration.
Cornell University tells students that President Trump’s previous travel ban on 13 countries is “likely to go into effect immediately after taking office,” with new countries added to the list, particularly China and India. He said it was possible. Students, faculty and staff from these countries were advised to return to campus by the start of the semester on January 21st.
Cornell University also warns these students to carry all relevant documents and make sure they are up to date, as well as have “proof of funding and proof of admission or transcripts” on hand. I suggested.
Other schools stopped short of saying a ban was likely, but instead advised students to plan ahead and prepare for delays.
In an email to students with special visas shared with Axios, the University of Southern California said that “a new presidential administration will take office on January 20, 2025, and as is common practice, one or more This is particularly important given the potential for the issuance of executive officers.” Orders Affecting Travel and Visa Processing to the United States. Although it is not certain that such an order will be issued, the safest way to avoid any problems is to physically be in the United States before the spring semester. ”
In a letter to students, Wesleyan University’s Office of International Students wrote:
“Given that Presidential Inauguration Day will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025, and given the uncertainty of President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policy plans, the safest way to avoid re-entry difficulties is to do so in January. be actually present in the United States after the 19th of the spring semester. ”
According to Open Doors, a data project funded by This is an increase of 7%.” Some by the U.S. Department of State.
Students from India and China make up more than half of all international students in the United States.
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Jackie Li, a third-year environmental studies major at the University of California, Berkeley, plans to return to China on Dec. 21 and return on Jan. 16, but plans were made months before Berkeley officials sent the advisory. It was standing. He told The Associated Press that there is growing anxiety among international students.
“Given the heightened geopolitical tensions around the world today, there are concerns that these types of restrictions will be extended to the broader community, and those concerns certainly exist,” Lee said. told the news agency.
“If the United States is truly a champion of academic freedom, it should not restrict this type of communication between countries around the world,” he added.
President Trump previously said he would reinstate and expand the travel ban, promising new “ideological screening” for non-U.S. nationals to bar “dangerous lunatics, haters, bigots and maniacs” from entering the country. did.
“We will not bring anyone from Gaza, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, or any other country that threatens our security,” President Trump said at a campaign event in Iowa in October 2023. .
President Trump also responded to the wave of campus protests in support of Palestinians in Gaza and divestment from Israel that swept the country earlier this year, calling out “radical anti-American and anti-Semitic foreigners at our universities. “I will cancel his student visa,” he vowed.
Associated Press contributed to the report.
