More than a dozen US universities have advised international students to return to campus before the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The warning comes after Trump’s repeated threats of mass deportations, revoking student visas, and travel bans, which could affect thousands of international students.
Universities including Cornell, Wesleyan, Harvard, and many others are urging international students from specific countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, and Myanmar to be present on campus before January 20. The guidance aims to minimize the risk of difficulties re-entering the US after a potential change in immigration policies.
The record number of 1.1 million international students studying in US colleges during the 2023-24 academic year will likely face uncertainty about their status under Trump’s presidency. Some universities are advising students to budget time ahead of the semester start, prior to the January Martin Luther King holiday, to account for any potential changes.
The affected countries include Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Somalia, Tanzania, Sudan, and Myanmar, with many universities specifically warning students from these nations.
Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5051033-universities-international-students-campus-trump-inauguration