As the United States prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20,2025,international students across the country are facing growing uncertainty. The ceremony, set to take place in the Rotunda of the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC, due to extreme weather conditions, has sparked concerns among universities and students alike. Many institutions have issued travel advisories, urging international students to return to the US before the inauguration to avoid potential disruptions caused by new immigration policies.
Universities Advise Caution Amid Policy Shifts
In December 2024, Wichita State University’s Office of International Education sent a notice to its international students, advising them to consider returning to the US before January 20, 2025, if they planned to travel abroad during winter break.The notice emphasized that this was not a mandate but a precautionary measure based on the Trump governance’s previous travel ban in 2017. The university stated, “We cannot speculate about what the travel ban would look like if it were implemented, nor can we speculate about which countries or regions in the world would be impacted.”
For many students, this advisory has added stress to an already challenging situation. Muhammed Ghais Saleem, an international student at Wichita State, shared his concerns: “It’s kind of unsettling because I’ve been here for a year and a half, and it doesn’t feel good to be away from my parents. I’ve had them all my life, going to university, I’ve never seen them. So if the travel ban is actually imposed, it will be very painful for me.”
Graduation and Work Permits in Question
Beyond travel restrictions, students are worried about the impact of Trump’s policies on their post-graduation plans. Many international students rely on Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permits, which allow them to work in the US for up to three years after completing their studies. Dion Samuel, another Wichita State student, expressed his anxiety: “It’s that uncertainty that’s bothering me a little bit right now because I’m going to graduate in a year and a half, in the middle of Donald Trump’s term.”
To address these concerns, students are banding together to create support networks. Saleem explained, “We’re not Americans, so we can’t do much. All we can do is talk about our opinions, but we can’t take any action. But we will gather as many people as we can,sit down with them,talk about what the situation is,just give them a little taste of how Trump does things,but I hope nothing wrong happens.”
Trump’s Immigration promises Stir Debate
With over 1.1 million international students enrolled in US colleges during the 2023-2024 academic year, Trump’s campaign promises on immigration have far-reaching implications. He has vowed to expand the travel ban on individuals from predominantly Muslim countries and revoke student visas from individuals deemed “radical anti-american and antisemitic foreigners.” Additionally, his pledge to implement mass deportations has raised concerns in industries heavily reliant on immigrant labour, including agriculture, hospitality, and healthcare.
While a campaign spokesperson clarified in June 2024 that these measures would target only the most skilled graduates and exclude communists, radical Islamists, and others, the details remain unclear. Trump has not revisited the proposal since than,leaving students and universities in a state of limbo.
As the inauguration approaches, the international student community is left grappling with unanswered questions.Universities continue to monitor the situation, urging students to stay informed and avoid making decisions based on rumors or speculation.For now, the future remains uncertain, but the resilience and solidarity of these students shine through as they navigate this challenging period.