Advertisements

Nepali Students Return to US Early Amid Fears of Trump’s Travel Restrictions

by Alice

Following the US presidential election, several American colleges and universities advised international students to return to the United States before President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday. This guidance came in response to Trump’s campaign promises to reinstate a travel ban targeting certain countries, raising concerns among students and institutions alike.

Although the original 2016 travel ban did not directly affect Nepali students, many chose to return to the US early as a precautionary measure. The ban initially targeted countries like Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia, among others. However, recent guidance from institutions such as Cornell University suggested that a new version of the ban could include additional countries, such as China and India.

Advertisements

Aarju Poudel, a sophomore at Williams College in Massachusetts, decided to cut her winter break short and return to campus ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Originally from Chitwan, Poudel had traveled home for two weeks in December but chose to return to the US before her college’s January term began.

Advertisements

“I didn’t want to take any risks,” Poudel said. “I know it might not be a big deal if you’re here legally, but my parents were really worried.”

Advertisements

On December 6, Williams College administrators urged international students planning to travel outside the US in January to return before January 19. While Poudel had already planned to stay on campus, many of her peers received the advisory and adjusted their travel plans accordingly.

In an email to students, Williams College Deans cited Trump’s first-term policies and campaign promises as reasons for the warning. “Based on President Trump’s actions during his first term and his comments during the 2024 campaign, he intends to make significant changes to American border policies soon after taking office,” the email stated. “These changes could impact visa processing, travel protocols, or immigration, potentially delaying or preventing international students from returning to the US.”

Poudel, who initially paid little attention to US politics, now closely follows political developments. “I realized how deeply my ability to stay in the US is tied to the politics here,” she said. “It shows how much politics affects every aspect of life for international students.”

Other prominent universities, including Cornell, Harvard, the University of Southern California, and the University of Pennsylvania, issued similar advisories to their international students.

Rodin Bantawa, a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania from Lalitpur, returned to the US ahead of the inauguration after spending her winter break in Panama for a debate tournament. Her university had recommended that international students return before January 20, 2025, to avoid potential disruptions caused by new immigration policies.

Bantawa expressed concerns about future travel restrictions. “Right now, it’s not a problem since I’m already in the US,” she said. “But if I go back to Nepal, I might face difficulties returning here.”

Not all Nepali students in the US share these concerns. Some remain confident that their legal status will protect them from any policy changes. However, for many, the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s immigration plans has made early returns a necessary precaution.

As the new administration takes office, international students and universities alike are bracing for potential changes that could reshape the landscape of global education in the United States.

Related topic:

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

blank

Funplacetotravel is a travel portal. The main columns include North America, Europe, Asia, Central America, South America, Africa, etc.

【Contact us: yubytechain@gmail.com】

Copyright © 2023 funplacetotravel.com