As the fall semester closes for colleges and universities around the country, those institutions are warning international students that life might become more complicated after Jan. 20, 2025.
National Public Radio affiliate GBH reported that USC, the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell and others have contacted students before the holiday break, warning of barriers they may experience trying to return to school.
During his first term, Donald Trump issued a ban on entering the United States from a list of predominantly Muslim countries. The ban was challenged in court and struck down, but Trump issued a new ban, extending it beyond the initial Muslim countries to include several others.
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Ahead of coming into office, he indicated he would close the borders and begin the mass deportations.
He spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and called it an “excellent conversation.” He also announced he'd be “effectively closing our Southern Border.”
“We discussed Mexico’s strategy on migration issues, and I told him the caravans are not reaching the northern (U.S.) border, because Mexico is taking care of them,” Sheinbaum wrote on social media. “We also talked about reinforcing cooperation on security issues, within the framework of our sovereignty, and the campaign we are carrying out to prevent fentanyl consumption."
About 12% of students enrolled in higher education are international. If they can afford it, students can return home to be with their families. However, flying back could be problematic if they arrive after Jan. 20, when Trump is inaugurated, according to the report.
"Trump is now promising stricter policies, but there are no concrete proposals," NPR reported. Reporter Kirk Carapezza said that behind closed doors, there is a lot of anxiety among administrators and students.
