The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and numerous other higher education institutions across the United States have advised their international students and employees to return from the winter break before January 20, 2025. This date marks the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.
The advisory follows concerns about the potential implementation of immigration policies by the incoming administration, particularly discussions surrounding the deportation of undocumented immigrants. The United States is home to over 11 million undocumented immigrants, and fears of stricter immigration measures have prompted universities to issue precautionary guidance to their international communities.
Concerns for international students
According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, there are approximately 1.1 million international students in the United States, with India accounting for the largest number at 330,000. Additionally, the Higher Ed Immigration Portal estimates that more than 400,000 undocumented students are currently enrolled in US higher education.
While those holding valid F-Visas, such as the majority of Indian students, are unlikely to be directly affected by potential visa bans, concerns linger for undocumented students and scholars. This is particularly significant given the precedent set in 2017, when the first Trump administration issued an executive order shortly after inauguration that barred immigrants and non-immigrant travellers from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the US for 90 days.
MIT’s advisory
MIT has emphasised the importance of students staying informed through official channels rather than relying on rumours.
David C. Elwell, Associate Dean and Director of the MIT International Students Office, advised:
“It is still too early to determine what the immediate impacts may be on immigration and visa issues since the new Congress will be sworn in at the beginning of January, and our new President will be sworn in on January 20, 2025.”
Elwell further noted that potential executive orders impacting travel and visa processing might come into effect after the presidential inauguration. Additionally, changes in administrative staffing at US embassies and consulates abroad could cause delays in visa processing, posing a challenge for those planning to return to the US.
Students requiring a new entry visa were urged to prepare for possible extended processing times and to have contingency plans in place.
Warnings from other universities
The University of Massachusetts Amherst echoed similar concerns, posting an advisory for its international community on Instagram. It recommended returning to the US before the inauguration to avoid any potential travel disruptions:
“… the Office of Global Affairs is making this advisory out of an abundance of caution to hopefully prevent any possible travel disruption to members of our international community.”
The university clarified that this recommendation was not a mandate but rather a precaution based on experiences from the first Trump administration.
Wesleyan University in Indiana also advised international students to be on campus by January 19 to ensure their ability to re-enter the country without difficulty. An email from its Office of International Student Affairs stated:
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“The safest way to avoid difficulty re-entering the country is to be physically present in the US on January 19th and the days thereafter of the spring semester.”
Similarly, Yale University held a virtual session addressing international students’ concerns. The university has over 6,000 international students and scholars from more than 120 countries. During the session, Yale discussed the potential implications of a second Trump presidency on US immigration policy and what measures students might take to safeguard their status.
Proactive measures Amid uncertainty
Several universities across the United States are issuing advisories to mitigate uncertainty for international students. While specific details about the incoming administration’s immigration policies remain unclear, institutions are acting out of caution to ensure their students are not caught unprepared.
The Trump Transition Team has yet to respond to queries regarding potential changes to immigration policies. For now, universities recommend that their international communities err on the side of caution and make their way back to the US before January 20, 2025, to avoid any complications that might arise with travel or visa processing.
This proactive guidance reflects the heightened vigilance within academic institutions as they seek to protect their international students and staff amidst changing political dynamics.
