US: Indian students wary as Trump’s return sparks immigration concerns

As the United States gears up for Donald Trump to assume office as the 47th President in January, uncertainty looms over international students and professionals, particularly those from India. With President-elect Trump planning significant executive orders on immigration and economic policy from his first day in office on January 20, universities are advising students to act cautiously.

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Several institutions, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst, have urged international students to return to the U.S. before the inauguration. Concerns stem from Trump’s previous presidency in 2017, marked by an abrupt travel ban on citizens from seven predominantly Muslim nations, disrupting global mobility and visa processes.

The University of Massachusetts has issued a detailed advisory citing the risks of being abroad during policy shifts. Similarly, Wesleyan University’s Office of International Student Affairs recommended that students return before January 20 to avoid complications.

Officials at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have echoed these concerns, emphasizing potential delays in visa processing and the unpredictability of re-entry during a period of swift administrative changes.

This heightened alert has stirred unease among Indian students, who make up a significant portion of international enrollments in the U.S. For many, the prospect of sudden policy changes recalls the chaotic disruptions of 2017, leaving them weighing their travel plans amid uncertain times.