As the inauguration of Donald Trump nears, concerns are growing within the US university community about the potential revival of travel bans similar to those imposed during his first term. In response, more than a dozen schools have issued advisories warning international students to return to campus before the spring semester begins.

The immigration threats primarily affect students from countries previously targeted by Trump's travel bans, rather than the over one million international students studying in the US. Universities are advising students from countries like China, India, and others previously affected by Trump's travel bans to return before the spring semester begins, citing potential delays or the introduction of new travel restrictions.

Some institutions, such as the University of Southern California and Wesleyan University, have even set specific return deadlines, such as January 13 and January 19, respectively. Others, like Harvard, recommend a return before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. To minimize potential disruptions, universities like Cornell are advising international students from affected countries to return early.

Cornell University's Office of Global Learning advised students who are traveling abroad to return before the January 21 start of the spring semester or to "communicate with an advisor about your travel plans and be prepared for delays." The university warned students late last month that "a travel ban is likely to go into effect soon after inauguration."

During his presidency, Trump introduced a travel ban that initially targeted seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Libya, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. The policy, introduced in 2017, restricted travel to the United States for citizens of these nations. The travel ban underwent several revisions, with some countries being removed and others added. Notably, the ban was extended to include several African countries, such as Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, and Tanzania.

However, President Joe Biden reversed this policy shortly after taking office in 2021, revoking the travel ban and effectively reopening the country's borders to citizens of the affected nations. Despite this, Trump has announced plans to reinstate and extend a travel ban on individuals from predominantly Muslim countries, halt refugee resettlements, and aggressively deport those he labels as having "jihadist sympathies" if re-elected.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in international student enrollment in the US between 2020 and 2021. However, the latest Open Doors report reveals a substantial rebound, with an 11.5% increase in international students in the 2022-23 academic year, totaling 1,057,188. Sub-Saharan Africa saw a notable surge, with an 18% increase in students studying in the US. Nigeria topped the list, sending 17,160 students - a 22% increase and a 117% growth over the past nine years.

Other countries in the region also made significant contributions, including Ghana (6,468), Kenya (4,059), Ethiopia (over 3,000), and South Africa (over 2,700). Several nations, such as Cameroon, DRC, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Cote d'Ivoire, had over 1,000 students enrolled in US institutions.

As the situation unfolds, international students and universities alike are left to wonder about the potential implications of Trump's revived travel ban. Will the US see a decline in international student enrollment, or will universities find ways to adapt to the changing landscape? Only time will tell.