International Students Weigh Staying in U.S. Over Holidays Amid Visa Concerns
International Students Face Holiday Dilemma: Return Before Inauguration or Risk Travel Restrictions?
Amherst, MA – As the holiday season approaches, international college students across the U.S. are facing a arduous decision: should they return home for winter break, risking potential travel restrictions after President-elect Donald Trump takes office?
The uncertainty stems from the possibility of new travel bans, echoing the situation in 2017 when president Trump’s executive order restricted travel from several Muslim-majority countries.This left many international students stranded abroad,unable to return to their studies.
At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, home to nearly 5,400 international students, administrators are advising students to return to the U.S. before the January 20th inauguration.
“We’re recommending that international students return by January 20th,” said a university spokesperson. “While we don’t know what policies the new management will implement, we want to ensure our students can continue their studies uninterrupted.”
However, many students are hesitant to follow this advice.
“I’m going back home to China,” said one second-year PhD student who requested anonymity. “Its a 17-hour flight, and changing my ticket is expensive. I’m hoping for the best and planning to return after the inauguration.”
This sentiment is shared by many international students who are weighing the cost of changing travel plans against the potential risk of being unable to return to the U.S.
Professor Musbah Shaheen, originally from Syria and now teaching at UMass Amherst, understands this dilemma all too well. He was a senior at Vanderbilt University when president Trump was first elected and faced similar travel restrictions.
“it made it essentially impractical for me to leave after my degree because I knew I couldn’t come back for my master’s,” Shaheen recalled.
Immigration attorney Dan Berger, who works with American universities, emphasizes the need for adaptability and understanding from institutions.
“If I’m an international student, I would like the school to be as flexible as possible with understanding that I may not be able to go at the last minute if the immigration situation is not good,” Berger said.
As the inauguration approaches, international students and universities alike are bracing for uncertainty. The coming weeks will reveal whether history will repeat itself, leaving students stranded abroad or facing difficult choices about their education and future in the United States.
International Students Face Holiday Dilemma: Return Before Inauguration or Risk Travel Restrictions?
Amherst, MA – The holiday season is approaching, and international college students across the U.S.are grappling with a challenging decision: should they return home for winter break,risking potential travel restrictions after President-elect Donald Trump takes office?
The uncertainty stems from the possibility of new travel bans,reminiscent of the 2017 situation when president Trump’s executive order restricted travel from several Muslim-majority countries,leaving many international students stranded abroad and unable to return to their studies.
At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which has nearly 5,400 international students, administrators are advising students to return to the U.S. before the January 20th inauguration.
“We’re recommending that international students return by January 20th,” said a university spokesperson.”While we don’t know what policies the new administration will implement, we want to ensure our students can continue their studies uninterrupted.”
However, many students are hesitant to follow this advice.
“I’m going back home to China,” said one second-year PhD student who requested anonymity. “It’s a 17-hour flight, and changing my ticket is expensive. I’m hoping for the best and planning to return after the inauguration.”
This sentiment is shared by many international students who are weighing the cost of changing travel plans against the potential risk of being unable to return to the U.S.
Professor Musbah Shaheen, originally from Syria and now teaching at UMass Amherst, understands this dilemma all too well.He was a senior at Vanderbilt University when President Trump was first elected and faced similar travel restrictions.
“It made it essentially impractical for me to leave after my degree as I knew I couldn’t come back for my master’s,” Shaheen recalled.
Immigration attorney Dan berger, who works with American universities, emphasizes the need for adaptability and understanding from institutions.
“If I’m an international student, I would like the school to be as flexible as possible with understanding that I may not be able to go at the last minute if the immigration situation is not good,” Berger said.
As the inauguration approaches, international students and universities alike are bracing for uncertainty. The coming weeks will reveal whether history will repeat itself, leaving students stranded abroad or facing difficult choices about their education and future in the United States.