Several U.S. universities have issued travel warnings to their international students and staff, advising them to return to the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. The advisories are based on concerns that his administration may impose travel bans.
Trump, who will be sworn in on January 20, has said he plans to sign several executive orders on economic and immigration policies on his first day as president.
Due to the disruptions caused by travel bans during his previous term, many top U.S. universities are encouraging international students and faculty who plan to travel abroad around the inauguration to return to the U.S. beforehand.
According to data from the U.S. Department of State and other educational bodies, India and China together represent over 54% of all international students in the U.S.
For the first time since 2009, India has overtaken China as the leading country of origin for international students in the United States, with 331,602 students in the 2023/2024 academic year, marking a 23% increase from the previous year, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange. China, despite a 4% decrease to 277,398 students, remained the top source of undergraduate and non-degree students, sending 87,551 and 5,517 respectively.
David Elwell, Associate Dean and Director of the MIT International Students Office, noted that changes in U.S. administration often lead to policy shifts affecting higher education, immigration, and visa matters. He urged students to reconsider their travel plans for the winter break, as new executive orders under President Trump could influence visa processing and travel. Additionally, he warned that staffing changes at U.S. embassies and consulates could result in delays in visa processing times.
(With inputs from Agencies)
