Nepali Students Dash Back to the US Amid Trump’s Looming Travel Restrictions

Following the American presidential election, numerous American colleges and universities had advised international students to come back to the United States prior to Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Educational institutions in the US issued these advisories due to Trump’s vow to reinstate a travel ban targeting Muslim-majority nations. The policy established in 2016 impacted 17,000 international scholars, as reported by Inside Higher Ed, though it did not apply to any students from Nepal.

Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution and adhering to their institutions’ advice, Nepali students enrolled in American colleges opted to return to the US ahead of Trump’s second term commencement.

The original travel restriction enumerated Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia. According to advice from Cornell University, a revised version of the travel ban may also encompass China and India.

Aarju Poudel, a sophomore at Williams College in Massachusetts, who hails from Chitwan, visited home for two weeks in December during her college break. However, she returned to campus prior to the commencement of her school’s month-long January term, significantly ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

“I was reluctant to take any chances,” she expressed. “I understand it’s not overly serious, as long as you are legally here, but my parents were anxious.”

On December 6, Williams College Deans advised international students intending to travel outside the US in January to return to the country before January 19. Poudel had already intended to remain on campus during this period, so she did not receive this notification, although many of her fellow international peers did.

“In light of President Trump’s actions during his initial term and his remarks throughout the 2024 campaign, he plans to implement major alterations to US border policies shortly after assuming office,” wrote the Williams College Deans in an email to students.

“Some of the suggested modifications could impact visa processing, travel regulations or immigration in ways that might impede foreign travelers’ return to the US.”

Prior to her arrival in the US, Poudel was not particularly concerned about American politics or the election because she did not anticipate that the American electoral process would have any bearing on her. Having studied in the US, Poudel began to closely monitor political news.

“I came to comprehend how intrinsically my desire and capability to remain in the US relate to the local politics,” she remarked. “It illustrates how significantly politics affects every aspect of life for international students in the US.”

Beyond Williams, larger and notable universities like Cornell, the University of Southern California, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania encouraged international students to return ahead of Trump’s second term.

Rodin Bantawa from Lalitpur, who is presently a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, spent her winter break traveling to Panama for a debate competition but ensured her return to the US before inauguration day for the commencement of her school’s spring semester, which began on January 15.

The University of Pennsylvania issued its guidance to students on their International Students and Scholar Services platform early in December, indicating that international students should “[return] prior to the presidential inauguration on 1/20/2025.”

Bantawa fears that prospective Trump immigration reforms will complicate travels between the US and Nepal.

“I don’t perceive it as an issue currently since I’m already in the US,” she said. “However, if I were to return to Nepal, I could face difficult challenges in coming back here.”

Not all Nepali students currently studying in the US have apprehensions regarding the Trump administration impacting their capacity to reside in the US.

Arun Sanjel is working towards his doctoral studies in computer science at Baylor University in Texas. He relocated from Kathmandu to the US as a master’s student in 2018 during Trump’s first administration and harbors no worries about his ability to travel back and forth between Nepal and the US during Trump’s second stint.

“I experienced [the US] during Trump’s first term, then navigated the entire Biden administration, and did not encounter any issues,” he stated. “I conduct my research and comply with regulations, so I do not foresee being impacted by the new administration.”

After obtaining his PhD, Sanjel hopes to remain in the US to work, either through green card sponsorship from an employer or by applying for a self-sponsored visa.

In contrast to Sanjel, Poudel is apprehensive that alterations in immigration policies will affect her capacity to stay in the US.

“I invested so much effort to reach the US for quality education. What if it’s no longer feasible?” she queried.

Poudel is uncertain about her intention to remain in the US after finishing her bachelor’s degree, but the political atmosphere will influence her choice, she indicated.

“At present, it’s relatively straightforward for me since I am studying. However, post-graduation, I will have to make a decision, and I am yet undecided about my course of action,” she noted. “The political environment is undoubtedly a significant consideration.”