The upcoming inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in January 2025 has sparked concerns among colleges and universities about potential changes to US immigration policies. Universities across the country have issued advisories to international students, urging them to plan their travel carefully.
Cornell University’s Office of Global Learning on its website said that a travel ban is likely to go into effect soon after inauguration. The ban is likely to include citizens of the countries targeted in the first Trump administration: Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia.
New countries could be added to this list, particularly China and India.
International students and scholars from outside of these “areas of concern” are not likely to be affected by a travel ban or targeted visa suspension. People who are not citizens of these countries but are in transit through them to the U.S. are unlikely to be affected.
Therefore, the university urged international students, faculty, and staff from the above countries to be back in the U.S. in advance of the semester, which begins January 21, 2025.
However, Cornell University also stated that only Congress can change visa categories such as asylum, Optional Practical Training, and green card categories. No change is expected in the short term. President-elect Trump has indicated that mass deportations could begin soon after he takes office. These are likely to focus initially on people with final orders of deportation.
Cornell’s international community guidance is based on the experience of the first Trump administration (2016–20) and candidate Trump’s campaign statements in 2024.
Northeastern University also communicated with the international students: With results of the U.S. presidential and congressional elections confirmed, we want to share important information for those in our community who hold re-entry visas, including international students, visiting scholars, faculty, researchers, and staff. We are encouraging members of the Northeastern community to be proactive with international travel plans during the upcoming months.
To minimize potential disruption to your studies, work, or research, we strongly recommend returning to the U.S. no later than January 6, 2025, the start of Northeastern’s Winter/Spring academic term. This will allow you to be present on campus before possible restrictions take effect.