US colleges call intl students back to campus before Trump 2.0

File photo of student in library / Pexels

With the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, international students in the U.S. are bracing for potential immigration policy changes. Among those impacted is Sahil Khaja Huzoor, an Indian-origin Master of Science student at Stony Brook University.

“Our university sent an email to international students before the winter break, advising against traveling outside the country,” Sahil told New India Abroad. “The warning seemed to be concerned about potential challenges with re-entry, particularly for F1 students approaching their graduation and planning to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).”

Sahil highlighted the initial anxiety among international students, fueled by uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s immigration policies. However, he noted a glimmer of hope: “Elon Musk has recently proposed increasing the number of H-1B visas, likely due to the demand for skilled and cost-effective labor from countries like India and China. The support from him has eased us.”

The concerns at Stony Brook reflect broader apprehensions across U.S. universities, as international students prepare for potential reforms to programs like OPT and H-1B visas. These programs are vital for students transitioning from academics to the workforce, particularly those from India, who make up a significant portion of the international student community.

A student from New York University, currently visiting India, echoed similar concerns. “I’ve heard rumors about universities advising international students to return before January 20 to avoid complications,” the student shared, requesting anonymity.

International students’ current concerns stem from challenges faced during Donald Trump’s first term. Back then, stricter immigration policies caused major issues, including travel bans, tighter H-1B visa rules, and uncertainty around the OPT program. Delays and increased visa scrutiny made things even harder.

As Trump prepares to return to office, similar policies could return, possibly with broader travel bans and stricter rules for H-1B and OPT programs.

These changes could heavily impact students, especially those preparing to join the workforce. To help, universities are offering guidance and issuing advisories to support students during this uncertain time.

The bigger picture!

Despite the uncertainties surrounding immigration policies, Indian students continue to show a strong preference for U.S. higher education. In fact, during the 2023-2024 academic year, the U.S. welcomed a record 331,602 Indian students, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, released on Nov. 18, 2024, by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE). For the first time since 2008-2009, India surpassed China as the top country sending international students to the U.S. 

This growth was particularly notable at the graduate level, with enrollments rising by 19 percent to 196,567 students. Overall, the U.S. welcomed 1,126,690 international students from over 210 countries during the 2023-2024 academic year, a 7 percent increase from the previous year.  

Cornell’s guidelines 

It’s not just Stony Brook University, the flagship of the State University of New York—other US universities like Cornell University are also stepping up to support their international communities with proactive measures.

Cornell’s Office of Global Learning issued an advisory urging students to return to the U.S. before the spring semester begins on Jan.21.

The advisory highlighted the potential for a travel ban to be implemented shortly after the inauguration. This could impact citizens of countries previously targeted during Trump’s first term, such as Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia. Speculation about the inclusion of countries like China and India has further heightened concerns, though no official announcements have been made.

Cornell recommended that international students from these “areas of concern” return promptly to avoid complications. For those unable to return immediately due to fieldwork or other commitments, the university advised consulting with advisors to plan for potential delays.

Preparing for re-entry

Cornell’s advisory also addressed the challenges students might face upon arrival in the U.S. The university urged students to carry essential documents to ensure smooth entry through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including:

- Valid visas and passports
- Enrollment certificates or transcripts
- Proof of funding or employment

These documents are crucial for demonstrating the student’s connection to their institution and purpose in the U.S.

Additionally, Cornell emphasized the importance of early preparation for visa extensions, such as H-1B or O-1 applications, to avoid delays caused by reduced staffing and heightened background checks at U.S. consulates.

Cornell reassured students that certain immigration categories, including asylum, OPT, and green card eligibility, remain under congressional control, with no immediate changes expected. The university also emphasized its commitment to supporting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and undocumented students, offering dedicated resources to assist them in navigating evolving policies.