Headline:
Universities scrambled: Institutions urge international students to return to the U.S. before Trump’s inauguration
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Universities across the United States are rushing to remind and encourage their international students to return to campus before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. Leaders are concerned about potential barriers to travel or visa complications that could affect students’ ability to resume their studies.
Cornell University’s Global Learning Initiatives Office has urged its international students to return to campus before the semester begins on January 21. The university cited concerns about potential travel bans that could be implemented by President-elect Trump.
"While the incoming administration has not yet made clear their specific plan of action regarding international students, there is a possibility of additional travel restrictions which could include countries not currently covered under the existing Executive Order," a statement from the university read.
Similar messages were sent out by other prominent universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which has the largest international student population in the state of California. They advised their students to return to the U.S. at least a week before the inauguration to avoid any potential disruptions.
"While we do not yet know the specifics of any executive orders or policy changes that may affect international students and scholars, we want to ensure that your ability to return to UCLA is not impeded," UCLA wrote in their statement.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Northeastern University joined the chorus of universities advising international students to return to campus early. Harvard University’s International Office also encouraged students to return before the start of the semester in January to mitigate any potential disruptions.
President-elect Trump has previously indicated that he plans to implement stricter immigration policies, including an expansion of travel bans targeting predominantly Muslim countries, and potentially rescinding or modifying certain types of visas for international students.
The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s incoming administration has international students on edge. "It’s a scary time for international students," said Pramath Pratap Misra, a 23-year-old Indian student who graduated from New York University this year with a bachelor’s degree in political science. "We’re really not sure about what’s going to happen," added Gabrielle Balreira Fontenelle Mota, a 21-year-old Brazilian student studying journalism and international relations at NYU.
Universities across the U.S. are preparing to provide support to their international students. NYU, for instance, has assured students that they will continue to monitor any legislative proposals or immigration actions that may affect their students.
"There are more than 1.1 million international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, contributing roughly $44 billion to the U.S. economy each year," said estimate from the Institute of International Education. "These students inject fresh perspectives into classrooms, foster global partnerships, and help create jobs in communities across the country," they added.
As international students and universities brace for potential changes, the uncertainty regarding the incoming administration’s policies continues to loom large. Universities are doing their best to prepare and support their international student populations during this critical time.
