Indian students keen on their higher education in the US may want to keep a close watch on American politics where Donald Trump is likely to return to the White House by next year. Many already faced hardline immigration policies and rule changes triggered during his first term. What will "Trump 2.0" signify for those dreams?
Throughout his first term, especially international students coming from India remained bewildered about US visa policies. The government took several steps to add strength to immigration. There were proposed restrictions on OPT, which was a very popular training program, and also the strengthening of scrutiny of student visa applications. That is precisely when it is in 2020 when the pandemic hit that even Trump's administration threatened to revoke visas for those students enrolled in universities who decided to go fully into online classes.
While the Biden administration rolled back some of these policies, Indian students who are one of the largest contingents of international students on U.S. campuses now grapple with whether a second term for Trump would revive some of these restrictions or bring into the fray a new approach.
The Trump Legacy: An Observably Challenging Era for International Students
Under President Trump, U.S. immigration policies appear to represent an obstacle for foreign students who want to come to pursue education in the country. The administration seemed bent on issues of controlling illegal immigration and especially on ensuring that American jobs did not result in easing the restriction measures against foreign nationals, including students.
One of the major policies of this kind was to try to cap foreign workers entering the United States on the H-1B visa program. Although this policy hurt skilled workers more, in the long term, it affected international students from India since they use the H-1B visa to stay in the United States and work there after graduating.
As was the case with his stance on the OPT programme- the allowance wherein international students are allowed to work in the US after graduation-the same issue surrounding the decision also brought concern. There was no all-out ban, but the discussions still were on limiting or imposing stricter conditions on participants of the programme, especially when it came to non-STEM majors.
Ever-increasing competition for places in American universities casts a dark shadow on the long-term sustainability of higher education for many Indian students given such policies.
What's at Stake for Indian Students in Trump 2.0?
Chances are that he will take on another presidential campaign. Hence, very likely that the same immigration and international student visa policies will remain during his next term as they did when he started his first term.
1. Toughen Visa Policies
Trump's "America First" call may again hint that his government would continue to push for decreasing the flow of foreign nationals into the US both for educational and professional purposes. Although Trump is a declared proponent of a merit-based immigration policy, what this entrenches is unclear. If his administration makes visa vetting processes difficult or raises the eligibility threshold for students for a student visa, then it becomes all the more arduous for Indian students to travel to the United States, especially outside the STEM fields.
2. OPT and opportunities after graduation
The biggest concern is over the future of the OPT program. Many Indian students depend entirely on OPT for gainful experience in the United States after they obtain their U.S. degrees. If Trump makes the overall work permits stricter, or any other move toward capping the duration of OPT for non-STEM graduates is made, then it will force Indian students to rethink their options for studying in the U.S. or make way for countries like Canada or the UK.
3. Bilateral Relations between India and the U.S.
On the positive side, the Trump administration has continued to maintain close ties with India, especially in trade, defense, and technology domains. In case Trump is re-elected, this relationship may be sustained to continue the exchange of students and professionals between both countries. However, based on economic nationalism, there might be more stringent restrictions on international students, though there may be continued diplomatic engagement.
4. The Global Attraction of US Universities remains unrelenting
The uncertainty cloud of visas notwithstanding, Indian students do not appear to exercise restraint while filing applications to universities in the United States, which boast world-class education and research facilities besides opportunities after graduation. Any new policy for securing a visa under Trump would only complicate the entire process; still, the possibility of financial aid and scholarships would unfurl an open book for the U.S. universities to great talent from India: Institutes such as MIT, Stanford University, and Harvard remain at the top of any wish list of Indian students.
Expert's Insights: Finding One's Feet Amidst a Changing World.
According to an education consultant and US immigration policy specialist, Dr. Priya Sharma, Indian students "have, by all counts, been an integral part of U.S. higher education, and while Trump's policies may have their challenges, they are less likely to keep motivated students away." The key here will remain to be adaptable and ahead of the curve of changes in visa rules and immigration laws; however, the growing demand for quality education is unlikely to ever be deterred by the political climate.
But if Trump demands greater protectionism, many students will view alternative options for the pursuit of education, particularly to such destinations as Canada, which increasingly is attracting them through student-friendly immigration policies.
Conclusion: What's the Future?
It raises a host of important questions in the minds of those Indian students who would like to go the U.S. way for higher studies given Donald Trump's potential return to the presidency. Impossible to predict what a second term would look like with Donald Trump in the White House, but one thing appears possible international students will face similar challenges in his second term as they do with him in his first term.
Indian students will need to be in the know of all the updates on US visa policies and make the most out of whatever opportunity exists to not let their study-abroad goals get derailed. Chances are, it is unlikely that the demand for US degrees declines at any point with even the ripple effects of changing immigration policies likely keeping people confused.
Source:
Throughout his first term, especially international students coming from India remained bewildered about US visa policies. The government took several steps to add strength to immigration. There were proposed restrictions on OPT, which was a very popular training program, and also the strengthening of scrutiny of student visa applications. That is precisely when it is in 2020 when the pandemic hit that even Trump's administration threatened to revoke visas for those students enrolled in universities who decided to go fully into online classes.
While the Biden administration rolled back some of these policies, Indian students who are one of the largest contingents of international students on U.S. campuses now grapple with whether a second term for Trump would revive some of these restrictions or bring into the fray a new approach.
The Trump Legacy: An Observably Challenging Era for International Students
Under President Trump, U.S. immigration policies appear to represent an obstacle for foreign students who want to come to pursue education in the country. The administration seemed bent on issues of controlling illegal immigration and especially on ensuring that American jobs did not result in easing the restriction measures against foreign nationals, including students.
One of the major policies of this kind was to try to cap foreign workers entering the United States on the H-1B visa program. Although this policy hurt skilled workers more, in the long term, it affected international students from India since they use the H-1B visa to stay in the United States and work there after graduating.
As was the case with his stance on the OPT programme- the allowance wherein international students are allowed to work in the US after graduation-the same issue surrounding the decision also brought concern. There was no all-out ban, but the discussions still were on limiting or imposing stricter conditions on participants of the programme, especially when it came to non-STEM majors.
Ever-increasing competition for places in American universities casts a dark shadow on the long-term sustainability of higher education for many Indian students given such policies.
What's at Stake for Indian Students in Trump 2.0?
Chances are that he will take on another presidential campaign. Hence, very likely that the same immigration and international student visa policies will remain during his next term as they did when he started his first term.
1. Toughen Visa Policies
Trump's "America First" call may again hint that his government would continue to push for decreasing the flow of foreign nationals into the US both for educational and professional purposes. Although Trump is a declared proponent of a merit-based immigration policy, what this entrenches is unclear. If his administration makes visa vetting processes difficult or raises the eligibility threshold for students for a student visa, then it becomes all the more arduous for Indian students to travel to the United States, especially outside the STEM fields.
2. OPT and opportunities after graduation
The biggest concern is over the future of the OPT program. Many Indian students depend entirely on OPT for gainful experience in the United States after they obtain their U.S. degrees. If Trump makes the overall work permits stricter, or any other move toward capping the duration of OPT for non-STEM graduates is made, then it will force Indian students to rethink their options for studying in the U.S. or make way for countries like Canada or the UK.
3. Bilateral Relations between India and the U.S.
On the positive side, the Trump administration has continued to maintain close ties with India, especially in trade, defense, and technology domains. In case Trump is re-elected, this relationship may be sustained to continue the exchange of students and professionals between both countries. However, based on economic nationalism, there might be more stringent restrictions on international students, though there may be continued diplomatic engagement.
4. The Global Attraction of US Universities remains unrelenting
The uncertainty cloud of visas notwithstanding, Indian students do not appear to exercise restraint while filing applications to universities in the United States, which boast world-class education and research facilities besides opportunities after graduation. Any new policy for securing a visa under Trump would only complicate the entire process; still, the possibility of financial aid and scholarships would unfurl an open book for the U.S. universities to great talent from India: Institutes such as MIT, Stanford University, and Harvard remain at the top of any wish list of Indian students.
Expert's Insights: Finding One's Feet Amidst a Changing World.
According to an education consultant and US immigration policy specialist, Dr. Priya Sharma, Indian students "have, by all counts, been an integral part of U.S. higher education, and while Trump's policies may have their challenges, they are less likely to keep motivated students away." The key here will remain to be adaptable and ahead of the curve of changes in visa rules and immigration laws; however, the growing demand for quality education is unlikely to ever be deterred by the political climate.
But if Trump demands greater protectionism, many students will view alternative options for the pursuit of education, particularly to such destinations as Canada, which increasingly is attracting them through student-friendly immigration policies.
Conclusion: What's the Future?
It raises a host of important questions in the minds of those Indian students who would like to go the U.S. way for higher studies given Donald Trump's potential return to the presidency. Impossible to predict what a second term would look like with Donald Trump in the White House, but one thing appears possible international students will face similar challenges in his second term as they do with him in his first term.
Indian students will need to be in the know of all the updates on US visa policies and make the most out of whatever opportunity exists to not let their study-abroad goals get derailed. Chances are, it is unlikely that the demand for US degrees declines at any point with even the ripple effects of changing immigration policies likely keeping people confused.
Source:
