US universities advise Indian students to return before Trump takes office

As the United States prepares for Donald Trump to take office as the 47th President in January, a cloud hangs over Indian students and professionals studying and working in the US. Several top American universities have issued travel advisories, urging international students to return to the country before the inauguration amid fears of potential travel bans, reported news agency PTI.

President-elect Trump, who is set to take the oath on January 20, has announced plans to implement sweeping executive orders on his first day in office, targeting immigration and economic policies. This has reignited concerns over disruptions similar to those caused during his first term in 2017, when nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries faced an immediate travel ban.

The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, issued a detailed advisory urging its international students and staff to consider returning before January 20.

“Given that a new presidential administration can enact policies on their first day in office and based on previous experience with travel bans in 2017, this advisory is made out of an abundance of caution,” the university said.

The Wesleyan Argus, Wesleyan University’s college newspaper, reported that the university’s Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) had issued similar guidance to its students. An email from the office reportedly read: “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.”

David Elwell, Associate Dean at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), cautioned international students to assess their travel plans carefully amid the unpredictability of the transitions, warning of potential delays in visa processing and the risks associated with being outside the US when new policies are enacted.

“With every election, there can be changes in policies, regulations, and legislation that impact higher education as well as immigration and visa status matters,” he wrote in a recent post.

These warnings have particularly resonated with Indian students, many of whom recall the disruptions caused by Trump’s 2017 executive order. That ban had sparked protests, impacted thousands of students and professionals, and raised questions about the inclusivity of US immigration policies.

Universities are taking proactive steps to protect their international students. Yale University’s Office of International Students and Scholars hosted a webinar earlier this month to address student fears about possible immigration policy changes. Other institutions are also preparing to challenge any disruptive policies that may be enacted by the Trump administration.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue a formal advisory but has acknowledged the situation, urging Indian nationals in the US to remain updated on travel regulations.

The US remains a top destination for Indian students pursuing higher education, with India surpassing China in 2023/2024 to become the leading place of origin for international students. According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, 331,602 Indian students were enrolled in American institutions, marking a significant 23 per cent increase from the previous year. This demographic now constitutes a critical part of the US academic ecosystem.

With PTI inputs