Growing uncertainty among international students as Trump prepares to return to office

DDM News

As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, universities across the United States are warning international students, including those from Nigeria, to be aware of potential changes to immigration policies that could affect their status.

These warnings stem from the previous administration’s executive orders on immigration, which created difficulties for many international students.

In particular, Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that a travel ban imposed during Trump’s first term restricted entry for individuals from several countries, including Nigeria.

This led to disruptions, with some international students unable to return to the U.S. to resume their studies.

Although it remains unclear whether similar policies will be reintroduced, universities are urging students to take precautionary steps to avoid complications.

The University of California, Berkeley, issued a statement on its International website, advising students to return to the U.S. before January 20, the date Trump is set to take office.

While it is uncertain whether new Trump executive orders will be enforced or blocked by the courts, the university emphasized the importance of returning early to avoid potential disruptions.

The university expressed that, out of caution, students from countries previously impacted by the travel ban should consider returning before the inauguration.

Similarly, Cornell University’s Office of Global Learning also issued a cautionary notice, predicting that a new travel ban may go into effect soon after Trump inauguration.

The ban is expected to include citizens of the same countries targeted by the previous administration, including Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia.

Cornell University recommended that students, faculty, and staff from these nations return to the U.S. before January 21, the start of the spring term, to avoid any potential travel delays or complications related to the ban.

Columbia University, another leading U.S. institution, has likewise alerted its international students to be prepared for potential travel restrictions.

Samantha Slater, a spokeswoman for the university, informed the Columbia Spectator that the university is closely monitoring the incoming administration and gathering relevant information.

In line with this, Columbia advised international students to return to campus before the semester starts to avoid any disruptions caused by potential travel restrictions or delays.

The concerns surrounding Trump’s return to the White House are tied to his previous immigration policies, which included the widely debated Muslim travel ban.

This policy, which restricted entry from several predominantly Muslim countries, had significant implications for international students from those regions.

In addition to the travel ban, Trump’s administration also considered revoking visas for foreign students and scholars who were deemed “anti-American” or “anti-Semitic.”

These actions, coupled with rising anti-immigrant rhetoric from the Republican Party, have left many international students worried about their futures in the U.S.

The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s return to office fuels anxiety among international students, who fear that further restrictions could jeopardize their education and ability to remain in the country.

Trump’s immigration platform has generally been centered on reducing illegal immigration.

However, in a June interview on The All-In Podcast, he suggested that international students should automatically receive a green card as part of their graduation process, allowing them to remain in the U.S.

It remains to be seen whether such a policy will be pursued during his second term, but it adds another layer of uncertainty for international students who are concerned about their status in the U.S.

This growing uncertainty has prompted universities to take proactive steps in advising their international student populations to return to the U.S. early, in hopes of avoiding potential disruptions to their academic plans.

With Trump’s immigration policies potentially set to impact students’ ability to travel or stay in the country, many are taking these warnings seriously to ensure they can continue their studies uninterrupted

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook