American Universities Issue Warning to International Students in Light of 2025 Travel Ban by Trump Administration

American universities are issuing urgent advisories to international students in response to the Trump administration’s proposed reintroduction of a travel ban targeting nationals from several countries. The policy, anticipated to take effect later this year, has prompted concerns about its impact on academic mobility and the safety of international students.

Several higher education institutions, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) and Cornell University, have released guidance urging students from potentially affected countries to exercise caution and seek advice before traveling. The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Office of Global Affairs issued a statement advising international students and scholars to “refrain from international travel” if they are from countries included in the previous bans or anticipate being impacted by new restrictions.

Cornell University also released a detailed advisory, expressing concern about the “potential consequences of forthcoming immigration changes.” In its guidance, the university emphasized the importance of staying informed about developments and consulting immigration attorneys when necessary. “Cornell is committed to supporting its international students and scholars during this period of uncertainty,” the advisory stated.

“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,” the advisory continued.

The Open Doors report, a data initiative supported in part by the U.S. State Department, reveals that more than 1.1 million international students enrolled in American colleges and universities during the 2023-24 academic year.

Indian students represent the largest group among these enrollees, followed by students from China and South Korea. Collectively, Indian and Chinese students make up more than half of the international student population in the United States.

Universities Mobilize Support for Affected Students

In addition to issuing travel warnings, universities are ramping up efforts to provide resources for affected students. Legal clinics and immigration support offices at schools such as Harvard University and the University of California system have pledged to assist students in…