Overview

• Several US universities, including MIT and UMass Amherst, have urged international students to return to the US before January 20, 2025, the day Donald Trump is sworn in as president.
• The advisories are precautionary, referencing potential executive orders on immigration and travel, similar to those enacted during Trump's first term in 2017.
• Institutions highlight possible delays in visa processing and staffing changes at US embassies during the transition period as additional risks for students traveling abroad.
• India is now the largest source of international students in the US, with over 330,000 individuals enrolled, followed by China with 277,398 students, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report.
• While students on valid F-visas are unlikely to face immediate impacts, undocumented students and those requiring new visas are advised to exercise caution when planning travel.