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As the return of former President Donald Trump looms, United States colleges and universities are urgently advising international students to return to the United States as quickly as possible in order to avoid any potential visa or travel issues. International students, whose studies in the United States depend on temporary student visas, are worried about the potential implications of stricter immigration policies that could include increased visa restrictions, more intense scrutiny, and limits on renewing visas.

While details about the policies are still vague, many schools are already announcing to students to make their travel plans concrete before the change in policies is implemented. This advice is more relevant for students who will face challenges in returning to the United States from traveling overseas, considering the uncertainty grows regarding the timeline of policy changes.

This also includes advisories from institutions such as Harvard, Cornell, the University of Southern California, and the University of Massachusetts to international students to return before the inauguration. According to Ted Mitchell, the president of the American Council on Education, there was a strong expectation of an early administration travel ban, likely by executive order, possibly within the first week.

International students are asked to consult their institutions and be updated with the latest information released by U.S. immigration authorities. Cornell University's Office of Global Learning advised students traveling abroad to return before the start of the spring semester on January 21 or to consult with an advisor regarding their travel plans and be ready for potential delays. Quite a number of universities are offering special help to support students as they work through the bureaucracies related to visa processes and reentry logistics.

Tighter restrictions might also come into play when it comes to academic schedules, internships, or post-graduation work opportunities. Korean students are being called on to weigh their alternatives and to return to the U.S. ahead of any change in policies. These uncertain times bring into sharp relief the insecurity in which so many international students in the U.S. live—making advance planning critical, with documentation and approvals for continued stay and study.

While many universities are trying to reassure their international student bodies, the uncertainty of Trump's policies has prompted a sense of urgency for many. As things develop, students and institutions alike will have to be willing to adapt, ensuring that students can continue their studies without facing undue hurdles.

국제학교뉴스 ISN Esther Baek interschoolnews@naver.com Esther Baek의 기사 더보기

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