Over 24,000 foreign students, mostly from Iran, face potential exclusion from American universities because of an extended travel ban endorsed by President Donald Trump, which affects 19 countries.
On Wednesday, Trump issued an order banning individuals from 12 countries—Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen—from entering the United States. The administration justified this move by emphasizing the necessity of protecting against “foreign terrorists” and addressing various security concerns, according to reports. Reuters .
The authorities implemented limited limitations on people coming from seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The recent action mirrors Trump's contentious 2017 travel ban, primarily affecting predominantly Muslim nations and sparking extensive demonstrations and legal battles. This move by the administration forms part of an overarching plan to decrease overall migration levels and adjust university admissions policies according to the President’s immigration objectives.
The largest group impacted by the new regulations consists of Iranian students. According to data from the Open Doors 2024 report by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. State Department, as cited in the source material. The Washington Post Indicates that more than 12,000 Iranian students enrolled in American educational institutions during the 2023-24 academic year—roughly three times as many as the subsequent largest contingent, which was made up of Venezuelan students (3,904).
Myanmar ranks third, with 3,222 students impacted.
In this timeframe, Burundi, the Republic of Congo, Somalia, Cuba, Laos, Eritrea, and Chad reported fewer than 200 students enrolled in American higher education institutions. The rest of the nations saw student numbers ranging from 234 to 833 individuals pursuing their studies in the United States.
The type of study pursued varies significantly by country. Approximately 81.5% of Iranian students are enrolled in graduate programs, whereas the majority of Venezuelan and Myanmar students are pursuing undergraduate degrees. A smaller percentage participate in non-degree programs or Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows recent graduates to work in the U.S. for up to three years in fields related to their studies.
Even though the White House has stated that individuals currently holding visas are unaffected by this restriction, the statement has caused considerable unease amongst international students. In light of possible complications, numerous universities have counseled their foreign students to refrain from nonessential trips overseas, worried about potential issues when attempting to return to the United States.
The U.S. had over 1.1 million international students From over 200 countries and territories throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, this represents the peak number observed till date, accounting for 5.9% of all enrollments, as reported by the Institute of International Education.
India and China dispatched the highest quantity of international students, collectively representing 54% of all global enrollments.
Vietnamese accounted for 22,066 individuals, making up the sixth-largest international student population.
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