Universities send warning emails to international students on Trump immigration crackdown: Report

The universities in the United States have sent emails to international students and staff asking them to come back to campus before President-elect Donald Trump's tenure begins on January 20 amid tension over his proposed mass deportations.

According to a report published by BBC, many higher education institutes in the US have been worried about the uncertainty looming in the future of their enrolled students and staff amid plans of mass deportation of immigrants proposed by Trump.

During the election campaign, Trump had vowed to carry out the largest deportation in the country's history and even involve the US military in the operation.

Also Read: Hundreds of migrants set out on 2,600-kilometre trek to US border before Trump takes office

According to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, more than 400,000 undocumented students have enrolled for higher education in the universities of the United States.

The officials in the incoming administration of Trump have suggested creating huge holding facilities for keeping the undocumented immigrants who are on the deportation list.

Here's what universities are doing in the United States 

Speaking to BBC, University of Colorado Denver professor Chloe East said, "All international students are worried right now."

"Students are incredibly overwhelmed and stressed out right now as a result of the uncertainty around immigration. A lot of students have concerns about their visas and whether they'll be allowed to continue their education," said Prof East.

A travel advisory was issued by the University of Massachusetts in November for the faculty and international students, asking them to "strongly consider" coming back to campus before Trump takes office.

Watch: Donald Trump Vows Mass Migrant Deportation

"Based on previous experience with travel bans that were enacted in the first Trump Administration in 2016, the Office of Global Affairs is making this advisory out of an abundance of caution," said the college.

The Wesleyan University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology also issued travel advisories and appealed to staff and students to come back to the country before inauguration day.

Meanwhile, the Office of International Students and Scholars at Yale University hosted a webinar to address the concerns of students regarding the potential immigration policy shifts.

In the United States, Indians have emerged as the largest group of international students for the first time in 15 years.

According to the State Department's new data, at present, there are 331,602 Indian international students in the US, which is a 23 per cent increase from last academic year. 

(With inputs from agencies)