Numerous universities in the United States have released advisories aimed at international students and staff in anticipation of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, highlighting the increasing apprehension regarding possible alterations to immigration policies. A report from the BBC indicates that many international students and scholars are feeling anxious about their prospects in the country, particularly in light of Trump’s campaign commitments to enforce stringent immigration regulations. Trump has vowed to initiate the most extensive deportation campaign in U.S. history, even proposing the potential use of military forces to carry it out. His previous efforts to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects over half a million immigrants who entered the U.S. as children, have further intensified worries within the academic sector. The University of Massachusetts issued a travel advisory on November 5, advising international students, faculty, and staff to “strongly consider” returning to campus prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Likewise, Wesleyan University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have encouraged their international communities to finalize travel arrangements promptly to prevent any possible disruptions. At Yale University, the Office of International Students and Scholars organized a webinar earlier this month to discuss concerns regarding visa stability and potential policy changes under the incoming administration. “Students are incredibly overwhelmed and stressed out right now as a result of the uncertainty around immigration,” stated Professor Chloe East from the University of Colorado, Denver, in an interview with the BBC. “A lot of students have concerns about their visas and whether they’ll be allowed to continue their education.” According to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, there are approximately 408,000 undocumented students enrolled in higher education institutions across the United States, representing about 1.9% of all postsecondary students.
