In light of the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, Colorado College is actively encouraging its international students to return to campus before potential changes to immigration policies take effect. The college's Director of International Student Services, Alexa Gromko, emphasized the institution's commitment to supporting F-1 and J-1 visa holders during this uncertain time [d3915519].
This advisory comes as a response to the significant decline in F-1 student visas issued to Indian students, which dropped by 38% from January to September 2024. The total number of visas issued during this period was 64,008, a stark contrast to 103,495 in 2023, marking the lowest issuance since the post-pandemic surge [1ead6363].
The college, which has 110 international students making up about 4.5% of its student body, is part of a broader trend among U.S. universities that are urging students to return before the inauguration. This follows concerns that Trump may reinstate policies similar to those enacted in 2017, which banned entry from several countries and affected over 40,000 individuals [d3915519].
Despite the current decline in visa issuance, Indian students remain the largest group of international students in the U.S., with over 330,000 holding valid F-1 visas. The growing appeal of U.S. higher education and the opportunities provided by the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program have contributed to this trend, even as universities navigate the challenges posed by the changing political landscape [93391d03].
In addition to Colorado College, other institutions like the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Wesleyan University have also advised students to be present in the U.S. by January 19, 2025, to avoid disruptions [688a9625]. David Elwell from MIT has cautioned students about the unpredictable nature of policy changes and the potential for delays in visa processing [688a9625].
Miriam Feldblum, co-founder of the Presidentsā Alliance, has called for preparation rather than panic, emphasizing that advocacy efforts may still yield positive outcomes even amidst potential policy shifts. As the dialogue continues, educational institutions are focused on adapting to the evolving political landscape to ensure the continued success of international education in the U.S. [927c03e0][94b9c4f6].