Trump's Impact: Foreign Students Avoiding Us Universities?

US universities have been advising international students to return to campus before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, as fears grow over his plans for mass deportations and another travel ban. Trump has pledged to enact the largest deportation operation in history, using the US military, and has said he will revoke the student visas of radical anti-American and antisemitic foreigners. During his first term, Trump restricted US visa programs and international travel, banning residents from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. This blocked some students and academics from returning to their studies. In the first three years of his administration, 12% fewer foreign students studied in the US compared to the country's top international enrolment competitors.

Trump's immigration crackdown

Overview

US universities have warned their international students about the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Trump has pledged to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, enforce stricter border policies, and restrict legal immigration. This has caused uncertainty and concern among foreign students, who are worried about their academic future and their ability to remain in the US.

Travel Bans and Visa Restrictions

Mass Deportations

Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation operation in history, using the US military to assist in removing undocumented immigrants from the country. His administration's ''border tsar,', Tom Homan, has stated that they will resume the controversial policy of detaining families with children. Homan, who was also the architect of the family separation policy during Trump's first term, has said that undocumented parents of US-born children will be deported, leaving them with the choice of taking their children with them or splitting up their families.

Impact on Foreign Students

The uncertainty around Trump's immigration policies has caused anxiety and stress among international students. Some universities, such as the University of Massachusetts, Wesleyan University, and Yale University, have advised their foreign students to return to campus before Trump's inauguration, out of concern that new policies could disrupt their travel plans. There are also concerns about the potential impact on undocumented students, with over 400,000 enrolled in US higher education.

Shifting Immigration Policies

Trump's messaging on visa and immigration policies has been inconsistent, and his approach may have already prompted international students to seek education in other countries. In the first three years of his first administration, 12% fewer foreign students studied in the US compared to its top international enrollment competitors. Trump's crackdown on immigration and the uncertainty it creates can deal a significant blow to colleges, as international students often play an essential role in higher education, especially at tuition-dependent institutions.

Travel advisories issued by universities

Many US colleges and universities are issuing warnings to their international students to return to campus before Donald Trump's second term as president begins, in anticipation of a repeat of the travel bans seen during his first term. More than a dozen schools have issued advisories, with some urging students to return before the spring semester starts and Trump's inauguration on 20 January 2025.

Cornell University told its students that a travel ban involving the 13 nations Trump previously targeted, including Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen, "is likely to go into effect soon after inauguration", and that new countries could be added to the list, such as China and India. It advised students, faculty and staff from those countries to carry all relevant documents and return to campus before the semester starts.

Other universities, such as the University of Southern California, did not go so far as to say a ban is likely, but advised students to plan ahead and prepare for delays. The University of Southern California said in an email to students on special visas:

> "It is especially important given that a new presidential administration will take office on January 20, 2025, and – as is common – may issue one or more executive orders impacting travel to the US and visa processing. While there’s no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the US before the spring semester."

Wesleyan University’s office of international student affairs wrote in a letter to students:

> "If you are planning to travel internationally over winter break, we strongly recommend that you re-enter the US and return to campus by Sunday, January 19, 2025. With the presidential inauguration happening on Monday, January 20, 2025, and uncertainties around President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for immigration-related policy, the safest way to avoid difficulty re-entering the country is to be physically present in the US on January 19th and the days thereafter of the spring semester."

The University of Massachusetts Amherst, Wesleyan University, Yale University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York University are among the other institutions that have issued travel advisories or guidance to international students.

Travel Advisory System

The US Department of State has a Travel Advisory System with four levels of advice for travellers:

• Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel.
• Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travellers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.
• Level 3 – Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travellers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.
• Level 4 – Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to the greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the US government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that US citizens not travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so.

The impact on undocumented students

The Trump administration's immigration policies have negatively impacted undocumented students in US higher education institutions. There are more than 400,000 undocumented students enrolled in US colleges and universities, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. These students face uncertainty and stress due to the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations and changing immigration policies.

Universities have attempted to reassure undocumented students, promising not to share their data with federal authorities and stating that they will not assist in any deportation efforts based on citizenship status. For example, Wesleyan University's president, Michael S. Roth, pledged that the university would do everything it could to protect its undocumented students and that it remained committed to non-discrimination and equal protection under the law.

Despite these reassurances, protections for undocumented students are still subject to state and federal laws, and some Republican-governed states have criticised the financial burden that undocumented students place on public resources. Additionally, Trump's appointment of hardliners to lead immigration policy, such as Tom Homan as "border czar" and Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff, suggests a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement.

The potential impact of the Trump administration's policies on undocumented students has led to increased truancy and relocation for many families, particularly in areas where local authorities cooperate with immigration enforcement. The Presidents' Alliance, representing over 500 higher education institutions, has published a guide to support migrant students and employees, recommending public statements of support, informational workshops, resource distribution, and psychological support for anxious students.

Trump's higher education platform includes proposals that could further affect undocumented students, such as altering the accreditation process and using the Department of Justice to file civil rights cases against colleges with diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Overall, the Trump administration's policies and rhetoric have created a climate of fear and uncertainty for undocumented students in US higher education.

The effect on US colleges

US colleges have been warning international students about the potential impact of Trump's immigration crackdown. They have been urging students to return to campus before Trump's inauguration in January, due to concerns over his plans for mass deportations and travel bans. This has caused fear and uncertainty for international students, who are worried about their academic future and their ability to complete their studies.

Trump's immigration policies are expected to have a significant impact on US colleges, particularly those with high numbers of international students. These colleges rely on tuition fees from international students, who are more likely to pay the full sticker price than US students. International students also bring diversity and cultural exchange to US campuses, enhancing the educational experience for all students.

Colleges are advising international students to prepare for potential disruptions to their travel plans and visa applications. They are also providing resources and guidance to help students navigate the changing immigration landscape. Some colleges are recommending that international students return to campus early or cut short their travel plans to reduce the risk of being stranded abroad.

Trump's immigration policies have already had an impact on international student enrollment in the US. During his first term, there was a 12% decrease in foreign students studying in the US compared to other top international enrollment destinations. This trend is likely to continue during his second term, as students may choose to pursue their education in other countries that offer more welcoming and stable immigration environments.

The effects of Trump's policies extend beyond international students to the colleges themselves. Colleges are facing challenges in maintaining their global reputation and competitiveness in the face of declining international student enrollment. Additionally, colleges with high numbers of undocumented students are particularly concerned about the impact of mass deportations on their campus communities.

Overall, Trump's immigration crackdown is creating a sense of fear and uncertainty for international students and US colleges. The potential impact on enrollment, campus diversity, and college finances is significant, and colleges are doing their best to support their international students and navigate the changing landscape.

Trump's messaging on visa policies

Donald Trump's messaging on visa and immigration policies has been inconsistent. On the campaign trail, he has made pledges to restrict immigration and international travel to the US, and has a history of attempting to follow through on these promises. During his first term as president, Trump restricted US visa programs and international travel. Days after taking office in 2017, he signed an executive order banning entry to the US for residents of several Muslim-majority countries. This blocked some students and academics from returning to their studies in the US. Trump also attempted to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, which shielded over half a million migrants who came to the US as children from deportation.

However, Trump has also made statements that appear to support more open immigration policies. For example, he has said that international students who graduate from US colleges should automatically get green cards to stay in the country. This statement was quickly walked back by his campaign, which added strict qualifiers to the proposal.

Trump's approach to visa and immigration policies has caused uncertainty for international students in the US. Some universities have warned their international students to return to campus before Trump's new term begins in January 2025, in case he enacts new travel bans. Trump's previous travel ban affected some international students, and there is concern that a new ban could make it more difficult for international students to enter or re-enter the country.

The inconsistency of Trump's messaging on visa and immigration policies has also created division among his supporters. Some of Trump's core nationalist base wants him to make good on his promises of immigration restrictions, while his new supporters in Silicon Valley want to maintain or expand visa programs that bring skilled foreign workers to the US.

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