ACE Releases Issue Brief on Campus Challenges Under Trump’s Immigration Policies

​Immigration policy will be a significant focus for the incoming Trump administration and the higher education community alike. Campaign rhetoric and early policy signals indicate that immigration enforcement will be high on the new administration's agenda, with potential actions that could directly affect international students, faculty, and staff, as well as undocumented individuals and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in our campus communities.

In response to these concerns, ACE has prepared a new issue brief offering information and insights to help campuses navigate what may be a rapidly shifting landscape. It draws lessons from the early days of the first Trump administration, when executive actions on immigration came swiftly and sometimes unexpectedly, causing confusion and uncertainty for those directly affected.

As the issue brief outlines, immigration issues in higher education extend well beyond enforcement measures. Our international populations-documented, discretionary, and undocumented-may face challenges with everything from visa applications and work authorizations to international travel. For DACA recipients and other Dreamers, the coming months may determine whether they can continue their education and employment without disruption.

This is a time of great uncertainty, and ACE remains alert and prepared to help colleges and universities support all members of their campus communities and the nation as a whole. History shows that even well-prepared institutions were sometimes caught off guard by unexpected policy changes in 2017 and the ensuing years. While it is impossible to predict exactly what lies ahead, proactive measures and a deep understanding of the evolving policy environment will allow us to be as responsive as possible.

ACE will continue to monitor developments closely and stand as a resource and an advocate for the values we all share and the policies that will best serve our students and institutions-ensuring that our campuses remain welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of every student, scholar, and staff member who calls them home.