Michigan State University is urging its international students to return to the U.S. before June 9 due to a new federal travel ban announced last week.
The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) sent an email on Friday, warning that a recent presidential proclamation could prevent students from reentering the country. The ban, signed by President Donald Trump on Wednesday, blocks citizens from 12 countries and places tighter visa rules on seven others.
The new U.S. travel ban impact will be felt across many universities, especially at MSU, which hosts more than 225 students and scholars from the affected countries.
The proclamation claims the ban is in place to protect national security and prevent individuals who support extremist ideologies from entering the country. It is set to take effect Monday at 12:01 a.m. EST.
The countries now banned from entering the U.S. are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, citizens from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face stricter visa checks if they are not already in the country.
In the email obtained by The State News, OISS advised international students to avoid any international travel unless absolutely necessary. For students currently outside of the country, the message was clear: return to the U.S. before June 9 if you can.
“For citizens of countries listed in the proclamation: If you are currently in the U.S., we strongly advise against international travel,” the email stated. “If you are currently outside of the U.S. and can return to the U.S. before June 9, we urge you to do so.”
This message follows another advisory sent a week earlier. That message warned students to stay in the U.S. due to the temporary suspension of visa interviews by the U.S. Department of State.
Though the new policy includes some exceptions for current visa holders, OISS stressed that the situation is still risky. “There is still a high risk that citizens of the affected countries will not be allowed to enter the U.S. once the restrictions take effect,” the email explained.
MSU spokesperson Mark Bullion said the university is currently aware of over 225 individuals who may be affected, including current students, admitted students, and recent graduates. Due to privacy laws, a breakdown by country could not be provided.
The OISS also emphasized that the university stands behind its international students. The email reassured recipients that they are valued members of the MSU community. It also encouraged anyone with concerns to reach out to their assigned advisor.
The directors of OISS, Krista Beatty and Ismail Adawe, did not provide further comments before publication.
This is not the first time international students at MSU have faced sudden immigration policy changes. Earlier in April, many saw their visas revoked with little warning, only to have them restored weeks later. The ongoing uncertainty continues to create anxiety among students and their families.
As the June 9 deadline approaches, international students are being told to act quickly. For many, returning to campus before the restrictions take effect may be the only way to continue their education without interruption.
