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Trump issued a proclamation on Wednesday prohibiting nationals from 12 nations – Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen from entering the U.S., citing the need to safeguard against “foreign terrorists” and security threats, as reported by Reuters.

The administration introduced partial restrictions on individuals from seven other nations: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

This latest measure echoes Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban, which largely targeted Muslim-majority countries, triggering widespread protests and legal challenges. The administration’s new policy is part of a broader strategy to reduce immigration and align higher education policies with the president’s immigration goals.

Iranian students constitute the largest group affected by the new rules. Data from the Open Doors 2024 report by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. State Department, cited by The Washington Postshows that over 12,000 Iranian students attended American institutions during the 2023-24 academic year -approximately triple the size of the next-largest affected group, Venezuelan students (3,904).

Myanmar ranks third, with 3,222 students impacted.

Burundi, the Republic of Congo, Somalia, Cuba, Laos, Eritrea, and Chad each had fewer than 200 students enrolled in American colleges during the period, while the remaining countries each had between 234 and 833 students studying in the U.S.

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 to their studies.

Although the White House has clarified that current visa holders are not affected by the ban, the announcement has generated significant uncertainty among international students. Anticipating potential disruptions, many colleges have been advising international students to avoid unnecessary travel abroad, fearing they might encounter difficulties reentering the U.S.

The U.S. had over 1.1 million international students from 200 countries and territories during the 2023-2024 academic year, the highest figure ever recorded, making up 5.9% of total enrolment, according to the Institute of International Education.

India and China sent the largest number of international students, together accounting for 54% of all international enrolments.

Vietnamese accounted for 22,066 of them, the sixth-largest international student community.