New Delhi: On Monday, January 20, 2025, Donald Trump will be the 47th US President, officially. This will be the beginning of his second, non-consecutive term in office. The prospect of Trump’s return has stirred mixed emotions nationwide, with heightened anxiety felt acutely among students, both from within the US and abroad. In response, universities are stepping up to support student communities, providing mental health resources, issuing travel advisory, and creating safe spaces to navigate this politically charged moment.
Trump’s return to the White House: Why are students anxious?
President Trump’s return has generated apprehension among students for more reasons than one. Here is a look at the major ones.
Immigration policies: During his first term, President Trump implemented stringent immigration measures, including travel bans affecting several countries and increased visa restrictions. International students are particularly concerned about potential reinstatements or expansions of these policies, which could impact their ability to study and reside in the US.
Uncertainty for undocumented students: Approximately 400,000 undocumented college students in the U.S. face an uncertain future under the new administration. Fears of deportation and changes to policies like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) contribute to heightened stress levels among this group.
Social and political climate: The polarized political environment and anticipated policy shifts in areas such as education, healthcare, and civil rights add to the overall anxiety experienced by the student body. For transgender students, fears are heightened due to the potential rollback of protections, including access to gender-affirming healthcare and rights within educational institutions. Additionally, concerns about the weakening or elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives—programs designed to promote inclusive campus environments—have led to uncertainty among marginalized groups. The potential for increased social tensions and diminished institutional support significantly impacts the campus climate, making these students particularly vulnerable during this political transition.Mental health support, travel advisory for international students
In response to these anxieties, educational institutions are implementing various measures. In terms of ensuring mental wellness, institutes have developed mental health resources. Universities are enhancing counseling services and providing resources to help students cope with stress related to the political climate. For instance, according to a Fox News report, Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health shared strategies for managing anxiety during presidential transitions, emphasizing the importance of community support and self-care practices.
Similarly, travel advisories for international students were issued across various universities in the US, with some being released as early as December last year. Anticipating potential changes in immigration policies, institutes such as the University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Southern California and a number of Ivy League universities, namely, Harvard, Brown, Cornell and Yale, have advised international students to return to the US before the inauguration. This precautionary measure aims to prevent travel complications that could arise from new executive orders affecting visa statuses and entry permissions.
Student activism and campus climate
The inauguration has also mobilized student activism in the form of protests and demonstrations. According to a Fox News report, student groups are organizing events to express their positions on anticipated policy changes. For example, anti-Israel college groups in Chicago, including the University of Illinois Chicago’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJPUIC) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), plan to hold protests in response to the new administration’s agenda. In addition to this, some institutions are facilitating discussions and workshops to educate students on civic engagement and the implications of policy changes, fostering an environment of informed activism and support.
