Travel restrictions that President Donald Trump enacted Monday could delay visas or deny entry to at least 50 international students, according to enrollment data.

The restrictions bar or limit entry to the U.S. for citizens of 19 countries, affecting more than 50 international students who attended the University in 2024. GW’s International Services Office issued guidance to international students ahead of the restrictions last Thursday, suggesting that students “may want to consider” re-entering the country before the order takes effect and warning that the new restrictions “may impact” their reentry, even with proper documentation.

“Everyone has a different tolerance for risk, and each individual entering the U.S. must evaluate if there are other reasons that the reentry could be delayed or denied,” the ISO guidelines state.

Trump’s proclamation that enacted the restrictions cites 19 countries — including Venezuela, Myanmar and Afghanistan — as having high visa overstay rates, especially on student visas and a lack of “appropriate screening and vetting measures” for immigrants, for their placement on the list. In 2024, seven international students were from Venezuela, seven were from Myanmar and three were from Afghanistan, per enrollment data.

The proclamation states Iran is placed on the list because it “regularly fails” to cooperate with the U.S. government in identifying security risks. 29 international students were from Iran in 2024, according to enrollment data.

University spokesperson Shannon McClendon said the University recognizes that the changes in immigration policy are “understandably causing concern,” adding that officials are providing international students with regular updates, including information for students from areas impacted by new policies or process changes.

McClendon said the University has “long supported” international students facing visa delays by offering deferral of their admission to a future semester or academic year and that incoming students interested in a deferral should contact the GW admission officer listed in their acceptance letter.

“Our international students are integral to the University’s educational mission, and we remain committed to providing them with timely guidance and resources,” McClendon said in an email.

A State Department official said visas issued before the proclamation took effect will remain valid. They also said U.S. embassies and consulates will continue processing visa applications, though the proclamation suspends the issuance of F-1 student visas — which are required to study at U.S. universities — to citizens of the listed countries.

“The suspensions and limitations on entry only apply to foreign nationals of designated countries who are both outside the United States and who do not have valid visas on the effective date of the Proclamation,” the official said in a statement.

During Trump’s first term in office when his administration issued a similar travel ban, the University filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court challenging the restrictions. After the Supreme Court upheld the ban, former University President Thomas LeBlanc issued a statement that said the University supports an inclusive environment for international students and the “free exchange of ideas.”

In the wake of the new restrictions, other D.C.-area universities have issued recommendations warning international students not to travel outside the country. The day following the proclamation’s announcement, Georgetown University officials recommended that new international students from the listed countries defer their enrollment and advised current students not to leave the U.S.

Howard University officials issued similar guidelines which “strongly advise against” international travel, especially for students renewing their visas because the officials said they observed an increase in rejections. Catholic University officials warned international students to “be mindful” of social media posts because they may be monitored.

The new restrictions come as federal agencies increase scrutiny of international students, with the Department of Homeland Security briefly revoking visas from several GW students in April before reinstating most of them weeks later.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced late last month that it would “aggressively revoke” visas for Chinese students and “enhance scrutiny” for future applicants, potentially impacting the status of GW’s over 800 Chinese international students. News agencies also reported at the time that the State Department would temporarily pause student visa interviews while it expanded social media monitoring of applicants.

Trump said Wednesday that Chinese students would be allowed to continue studying at U.S. universities after he announced a tentative trade deal with China which mutually lowers tariffs and removes China’s export restrictions on rare earth minerals. The deal is still subject to final approval by Trump himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A State Department official said the Department only controls ports of entry and that the Department of Homeland Security controls the status of individuals already in the United States. A DHS spokesperson did return a request for comment on how the new restrictions will affect students from the listed countries who are currently in the U.S. with expired visas.

Students studying in the United States do not need to renew their visas if they take approved absences of less than five months, but those who leave for longer would likely need to renew their visa, according to DHS website. The State Department did not specify what will happen to students with valid visas who leave the United States and attempt to reenter the country.