With the U.S. transitioning to a new administration, several universities are urging international students to return from their winter holidays by January 20, 2025, the day of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. The advisory is a precautionary measure amid uncertainty about possible immigration policy changes, including travel restrictions, under the incoming administration.

International students on valid F-Visas—such as the 330,000 students from India—are unlikely to face immediate issues. However, concerns loom for undocumented students, who number over 400,000 according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. The move recalls the 2017 travel ban enacted days after Trump’s first inauguration, which temporarily barred travelers from certain nations.

David C. Elwell, Associate Dean at MIT’s International Students Office, emphasized the unpredictability of new immigration policies. He warned of possible delays in visa processing due to changes in embassy staffing and urged students needing new entry visas to prepare for extensive wait times.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst also advised its international community to return to the U.S. before January 20, citing lessons from the 2017 travel bans. While the recommendation is not mandatory, it aims to prevent potential disruptions.

Wesleyan University in Indiana urged its students to be physically present in the U.S. by January 19 to avoid re-entry challenges. Yale University, hosting over 6,000 international students, held discussions on how previous U.S. elections shaped immigration policies and outlined strategies for the current transition.

Universities stress that these advisories are precautionary but critical to ensuring uninterrupted studies as the U.S. navigates a politically uncertain period.