Rising Anxiety Among International Students
Fear is mounting among international students across the United States as the country prepares for President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House on January 20. With Trump pledging stricter immigration US colleges policy changes , many universities urge students to return early from winter break to avoid potential travel disruptions. Institutions like Cornell University, the University of Southern California (USC), and New York University (NYU) have warned about possible travel bans and visa complications.
Cornell’s Office of Global Learning cautioned students to prepare for delays, referencing the potential reinstatement of Trump’s travel ban targeting countries such as Iran, Syria, and Somalia, with the possibility of new additions like China and India. Similarly, USC advised students to be back in the US colleges policy changes at least a week before the spring semester begins to preempt executive orders that may impact travel and visa processing.
These developments have added uncertainty for the 1.1 million international students enrolled in US colleges during the 2023-24 academic year. Many fear being unable to complete their studies due to abrupt policy changes. “It’s a scary time for international students,” said Pramath Pratap Misra, an NYU graduate from India. Misra’s sentiments echo across campuses, where international students face heightened concerns about their future.
US Colleges Policy Changes and Promises Under Scrutiny
Trump’s campaign promises, including the reinstatement of his controversial travel ban and ideological screening of immigrants, have sparked anxiety among students and faculty alike. During his first term, the travel ban initially targeted predominantly Muslim countries and was later expanded to several African nations. While President Joe Biden rescinded the ban in 2021, Trump has vowed to reintroduce it with broader scope and stricter regulations.
Adding to the unease, Trump pledged to revoke student visas for individuals deemed “radical anti-American or antisemitic.” This statement follows his criticism of pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses and his promise to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to such demonstrations. However, Trump’s promise to “automatically” grant green cards to skilled graduates of US colleges contrasts sharply with his hardline rhetoric. Critics remain skeptical about the feasibility and inclusivity of this proposal, especially after campaign officials suggested it would exclude individuals labeled as public charges or those with perceived ideological biases.
University Efforts to Support Students
Amid these uncertainties, US colleges are taking proactive measures to support their international students. NYU, which hosts the largest number of international students in the country, reassured its community of ongoing monitoring of immigration-related developments. Other institutions, including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Northeastern University, have issued guidelines to help students avoid disruptions. Many schools are urging students to return well before inauguration day, with some recommending arrival as early as January 6.
Legal experts warn that Trump’s potential policies could significantly restrict opportunities for international students. Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, noted that the first Trump administration prioritized limiting foreign-born individuals’ entry across all categories. As universities prepare for potential challenges, international students like Gabrielle Balreira Fontenelle Mota of Brazil express apprehension about their future in the US. “The ideological screenings Trump mentioned make me more concerned,” she said, highlighting the growing uncertainty facing students from around the globe.
