US universities advise Indian students to return before Trump assumes office

As the United States prepares for Donald Trump to take office as the 47th President in January, several prominent universities have issued advisories encouraging international students, particularly those from India, to return to the US before his inauguration.

Fears of potential travel bans have created uncertainty among students and professionals in the US, especially following Trump's plans to implement sweeping executive orders on his first day in office, targeting immigration and economic policies. These plans have reignited concerns similar to those from 2017, when nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries faced immediate travel restrictions during Trump’s first term.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst issued a detailed advisory urging international students and staff to consider returning to the US before January 20. "Given that a new presidential administration can enact policies on their first day, and based on previous experience with travel bans in 2017, this advisory is made out of an abundance of caution," the university said.

Wesleyan University’s Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) also advised students to avoid being outside the country during the transition period. According to The Wesleyan Argus, an email from the office stated: "The safest way to avoid difficulty re-entering the country is to be physically present in the US on January 19 and the days thereafter."

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Associate Dean David Elwell warned international students about potential travel risks, including visa processing delays and policy uncertainty. "With every election, there can be changes in policies, regulations, and legislation that impact higher education, immigration, and visa status matters," he noted in a recent post.

These warnings have especially resonated with Indian students, many of whom remember the disruptions caused by Trump’s 2017 executive order, which not only sparked protests across the US but also affected thousands of students and professionals, raising concerns about the inclusivity of American immigration policies.

In response to these concerns, universities are taking proactive steps to support their international students. Yale University, for example, recently hosted a webinar to address worries about potential immigration policy changes. Other institutions have signaled their intention to challenge any policies that might disrupt the academic environment.

While India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a formal advisory, it has urged Indian nationals in the US to stay vigilant and keep updated on travel regulations.

The US remains a leading destination for Indian students pursuing higher education. In the 2023-2024 academic year, India surpassed China to become the largest country of origin for international students in the US, with 331,602 students enrolled—an increase of 23% from the previous year. This growing demographic is now an integral part of the US academic and cultural landscape.

As Inauguration Day approaches, the international student community continues to navigate this period of uncertainty with a mixture of caution and resilience.