KATHMANDU, Dec 27: As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office, many universities in the US are advising their international students to return early. Concerns are mounting that Trump may reinstate a travel ban on certain countries following his inauguration.
Reports indicate that several major universities, including New York University (NYU), which hosts the largest number of international students, as well as Cornell University and the University of Southern California, have issued warnings to students about potential policy changes under the incoming Trump administration.
Universities are urging international students currently on winter break to return to the US before the inauguration on January 20. They cite fears that Trump could impose travel and visa restrictions during the transition period.
Open Doors Report: Nepali Students Fastest Growing Enrollment i...
The United States remains a popular destination for Nepali students due to its diverse educational opportunities and availability of scholarships. According to the 2024 Open Doors report, the number of Nepali students studying in the US has reached an all-time high, with 16,742 students currently enrolled in American universities. This makes Nepal the 10th largest country of origin for international students in the US.
In the 2023/24 academic year, the number of Nepali students increased by 10.9% compared to the previous year, accounting for 1.5% of all international students in the US. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 15,090 Nepali students, reflecting a continuous upward trend. Earlier figures show 11,799 Nepali students were studying the US in 2021/22, 11,172 in 2020/21, 12,730 in 2019/20, 13,299 in 2018/19, 13,270 in 2017/18, and 11,607 in 2016/17.
Of the current Nepali students in the US, 7,461 are pursuing undergraduate studies, 5,882 are enrolled in graduate programs, 122 are in non-degree programs, and 3,171 are participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT). Texas hosts the largest number of Nepali students, followed by the states of New York, Ohio, Louisiana, and Illinois.
International students typically hold nonimmigrant visas that allow them to study in the US, but these visas do not provide a pathway to permanent residency.
Universities warned students late last month that “a travel ban is likely to go into effect soon after the inauguration.” Reports suggest the ban could target countries included in Trump’s first administration’s travel restrictions: Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia. Additional countries, such as China and India, might also be added to this list.
During his election campaign, Trump reiterated his commitment to addressing irregular immigration by closing borders and reinstating the travel ban that President Biden had revoked after taking office in 2021.
According to Open Doors, a data project partially funded by the State Department, over 1.1 million international students were enrolled in US colleges and universities for the 2023/24 academic year. Indian students account for the largest group, followed by Chinese and South Korean students, with Indian and Chinese students making up more than half of all international students in the US.
