Why US Universities Want Foreign Students to Return Before January

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, US universities are urgently advising international students and staff to return to campus before his January inauguration.

The academic community is experiencing significant anxiety regarding Trump's pledged large-scale deportation strategy, which includes potential military involvement. More than 400,000 undocumented students currently enrolled in higher education institutions are particularly vulnerable to potential policy shifts. University administrators and professors are witnessing unprecedented uncertainty among international student populations.

Chloe East, a University of Colorado Denver professor, emphasizes the pervasive stress among international students. "Students are incredibly overwhelmed by the uncertainty surrounding immigration," she notes. The incoming administration's proposals, including the construction of extensive holding facilities for undocumented immigrants and prioritization of removing individuals deemed security risks, have done little to assuage widespread concerns.

Several prominent universities have taken proactive measures. The University of Massachusetts issued a travel advisory urging international students and faculty to return to campus before the inauguration, referencing previous travel restrictions implemented during Trump's first administration. Similar advisories have been released by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wesleyan University. The potential policy implications extend beyond undocumented immigrants.

Yale University has hosted informational webinars addressing concerns about immigration policy changes, particularly for students protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which Trump has previously attempted to terminate. International students from various countries are experiencing heightened uncertainty. Aoi Maeda, a Japanese student at Earlham College, expresses apprehension about her academic future, noting the unpredictability of potential policy shifts and their impact on visa holders.