International students across the United States are preparing for potential changes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office in January. Universities, including Penn State, Cornell, and others, have issued guidance urging students on specific visas to return to the U.S. before the January 20 inauguration in case the new president implements travel restrictions at the start of his term.
"I feel like there's a lot more anxiety and panic among some disciplines more than others, or some nationalities more than others," said an international student in Washington, D.C.interviewed by The Hill as part of a new report.
Trump issued a travel ban affecting several predominantly Muslim countries in his previous administration, later expanding it to include others like Venezuela, North Korea, and Nigeria. Seven of the countries targeted for travel bans at that time were particularly signaled out by Cornell in a notice to students this week.
"The immigration landscape is likely to change under the new presidential administration," said Cornell, adding that students should carry additional documentation of their connection to the school and get back in the U.S. before January 21.
Penn State's International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) advised those holding J-1 and H1-B visas to return before the inauguration to avoid complications arising from new executive orders Trump may enact. ISSS assured students it would maintain communication and provide updates as policies evolve. A Penn student representative highlighted the importance of clear communication and a thoughtful approach to address student concerns without inciting panic.
Other universities, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Wesleyan University, have issued similar recommendations.
Miriam Feldblum, executive director of the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, explained to The Hill some of Trump's policies which adversely affected international students in his first term:
"We know that there were numerous policy efforts that were enacted that adversely impacted international students, even starting off in very first days in terms of the travel bans, which created chilling effects and, certainly, affected international students from a couple of countries, but also increased security vetting for international students from a good number of countries"
The U.S. hosts over 1.1 million international students, a record number for the 2023–2024 academic year.
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