Universities across the United States are encouraging international students to return early from winter break in light of potential changes in immigration policy following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
Gatekeepers News reports that this advisory comes as a precaution, as the incoming president has indicated plans for a renewed travel ban that may affect international students. Many were previously impacted when a travel ban was introduced at the start of Trump’s first administration, leaving some stranded overseas.
Trump has consistently expressed a tough stance on immigration, which includes proposed measures such as a travel ban targeting individuals from predominantly Muslim countries and the possibility of revoking student visas for those deemed “radical anti-American and antisemitic.”
Furthermore, Trump has appointed Stephen Miller as the incoming deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller, known for his hardline views on immigration during his previous role as a senior adviser in the first Trump administration, could further complicate matters for prospective international students.
In light of these developments, Cornell University’s Office of Global Learning has specifically recommended that students traveling abroad return by January 21 to avoid any disruption that may arise from new policies.
“A travel ban is likely to go into effect soon after inauguration,” the university warned in late November.
“The ban is likely to include citizens of the countries targeted in the first Trump administration: Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia.
“New countries could be added to this list, particularly China and India.”
The University of Southern California urged its over 17,000 international students to return, at least, one week before Trump’s White House return.
The advice comes as many prospective Nigerian international students are flocking to the US amid tightened immigration restrictions in the United Kingdom (UK), a popular choice for international study.
A US government report published last month named Nigeria as its seventh largest source of international students globally and the highest in Africa, with 20,029 enrollees.
