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Several US universities have suggested to their international students to return to campus before President-election Donald Trump's inauguration day, over concerns that they could face trouble re-entering the US if they wait until after election day.

The move by some of the country's top universities with high populations of students from abroad follows repeated statements by Trump saying he would crack down on illegal immigration, and many worry he will issue another Muslim ban.

More than 10 universities, including University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, urged their students to return to the US before inauguration day, according to a by Axios.

In an email to Axios, USC said they expected their students to be back when then spring semester starts on 13 January, which "is especially important given that a new presidential administration will take office on 20 January 2025, and—as is common—may issue one or more Executive Orders impacting travel to the US and visa processing."

They emphasised that being physically present in the US would be the safest way to avoid challenges to their residency. Some students have reported basing their travel plans, or their lack of travel outside the US, on these concerns.

Trump has already said he would prioritise mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in addition to expelling pro-Palestinian student protesters.