As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, colleges and universities across the U.S. are facing mounting uncertainty regarding how his immigration policies will affect their international students, faculty, and staff.
Schools are actively monitoring potential executive orders that could affect travel or visa processing, including measures similar to the Trump administration’s earlier travel bans. These could impact everyone from international graduate students to undocumented individuals, with echoes of the challenges faced during the first Trump administration, especially the controversial restrictions on foreign students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miriam Feldblum, executive director of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, emphasized the wide-reaching effects. “It’s affecting students, staff, faculty, and their families. There are multiple pressure points,” she said. “Campuses should focus on preparing their communities rather than causing panic.”
As President Trump’s inauguration draws closer, colleges are warning students, particularly those planning to travel abroad, about potential restrictions on reentry.
Cornell University, in a recent message, advised students to be prepared for possible travel bans that could affect movement from China and India. The school recommended that students carry documentation showing their ties to the university when crossing borders.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) highlighted the possibility of delays in visa processing due to staffing changes at U.S. embassies and consulates during the presidential transition. Similarly, the University of Massachusetts Amherst urged international students to consider returning to the U.S. before Inauguration Day if they plan to travel during winter break.
While the situation remains fluid, many schools are reminding their communities that the immediate effects of the new administration are unclear. Executive orders can be enacted quickly, but legislation and government regulations take much longer to process. Boston University advised its international community to avoid making decisions based solely on social media or rumors, as not all campaign promises are implemented.
Despite the uncertainty, some colleges are bracing for the possibility that new policies could make it harder for foreign students or scholars to obtain visas or work legally. Additionally, proposed legislation could affect in-state tuition eligibility for undocumented students or modify programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT) for foreign students.
Feldblum noted that university leaders are anxious but determined to be prepared for whatever comes. “There’s a lot of concern, but also a sense of readiness. College leaders recognize that the second administration may be better prepared, and they are, too,” she said.
Biden’s Proposed Rule on Student Loan Relief Gains Support
In a separate development, more than 200 education groups and unions are backing a proposed rule by the Biden administration to provide student debt relief for borrowers facing economic hardship. The rule would allow the Education Department to forgive up to the entire outstanding balance of a loan for borrowers experiencing significant financial distress, such as unexpected medical bills or high caregiving costs.
Organizations including the Student Borrowers Protection Center and the American Federation of Teachers have submitted comments in support of the proposal, which they argue would provide much-needed relief to millions of borrowers. The Biden administration estimates that the rule could benefit approximately 8 million individuals.
However, the future of the rule is uncertain. The incoming Trump administration is expected to roll back many of Biden’s debt relief initiatives, and previous Biden-era proposals have faced legal challenges.
Supreme Court to Hear Case on Transgender Health Care Laws
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Wednesday in a case that could determine the fate of state laws restricting access to healthcare for transgender minors. The case, United States v. Skrmetti, challenges a 2023 Tennessee law banning hormone therapy and puberty blockers for transgender youth.
The outcome could influence similar laws in other states and reignite debates over transgender healthcare policies. Families and a doctor, supported by the Biden administration, argue that the Tennessee law violates the 14th Amendment by discriminating against transgender minors. The case will be the first time the Supreme Court has heard arguments on transgender rights since its landmark 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which extended federal workplace discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Trump’s Pandemic Contrarians Take Top Health Roles
As President-elect Trump assembles his health policy team, his picks reflect his ongoing skepticism of pandemic restrictions. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford economist who opposed lockdowns and school closures, has been selected to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya joins other controversial figures, including Dr. Marty Makary, tapped for the Food and Drug Administration, who also questioned pandemic measures.
While some of their views have gained traction in light of criticism of strict pandemic policies, experts caution that their stance remains controversial and potentially harmful. Many believe that the strictest pandemic measures went too far, but others worry that the contrarians’ approach could undermine public health efforts.
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- Why Ideological Vetting of Immigrants is a Dangerous Idea
