Some schools, like UMass Amherst, MIT, and Wesleyan, are advising international students and staff to return to campus before Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025. While there’s no official word of any upcoming travel restrictions, this caution stems from concerns about a repeat of what happened in 2017, when a travel ban caused chaos for many.
It’s a reminder of how quickly policies can change and how those shifts can deeply affect international students. Universities are stepping up to make sure their communities are prepared, even if it means disrupting holiday plans.
For those of us who work with international students, this is a good time to think about how we’re communicating with them and supporting their decision-making. Being proactive now could save students a lot of stress later.
These warnings might never come to pass, but it’s better to be over-prepared than caught off guard. Supporting international students is always a team effort, and this is one of those moments where extra care can make a big difference.
