Trump’s Return To The Oval Office: What It Means For Indian Students In America

The Open Doors Report by the Institute of International Education (IIE) reveals that in the 2022-23 academic year, U.S. universities hosted nearly 269,000 Indian students.

Study In US: The government is likely to impose stringent visa issuance policies. (Representative Image)

Source : ABPLIVE AI

By Chahat Mishra

With Donald Trump’s historic return to the Oval Office, India stands at critical crossroads, especially in higher education. Trump, a man of the moment when it comes to American politics, is going to present both challenges and opportunities for India’s education system during his second presidency. Indian students comprise one of the largest international student cohorts in the US, but depending on amends in visa policy, job opportunities and academic affiliations, their desires and interests might undergo a change. 

According to the Open Doors Report published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), for the 2022-23 AY, US universities were home to nearly 269,000 Indian students — a 35% increase over the previous year, positioning India as the largest international student body overtaking China in American universities.

Now, with Trump’s return, some pertinent questions arise: What’s in store for the Indian students? Will the new administration prioritise restricting work roles to American citizens or be open to welcoming fresh talent from across the world? To what extent does the stance of ‘America-first’ policy hold true?

Even though Trump has publicly advocated for automatic green cards for foreign graduates coming out of US universities, particularly in STEM fields, he has vocally signalled intentions to implement tight immigration controls in general terms.

1. Bearing On Student Visas:

• Visa Policy changes: The government is likely to impose stringent visa issuance policies, thereby impacting the ease with which Indian students get F-1 Visa. This could mean more rigorous application process and severe eligibility standards.
• Post-Graduation Opportunities: Although the green card proposal for U.S. graduates looks appealing, its implementation is a question. If implemented, it may be a less troublesome path to obtaining a permanent residency for Indian students. In contrast, if there is a delay or change in this policy then it can have some effect on career prospects after graduation.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) Program: There are indications that the government will limit the period during which OPT is in effect, thus, international students might miss the opportunity of gaining a work experience in the United States after graduation. These may be changes that could make practical training less possible and might also have an effect on the job choices for Indian graduates.
• H-1B Visa: There may be some evident changes in the H-1B visa program, commonly utilized by Indian professionals. This may include, but not limited to, visa number caps, eligibility requirements, and processes of the application.

2. Crack For Immigration:

Trump is widely known for stringent immigration measures from his first presidency that impacted not only undocumented immigrants but also legal migrants. His promise of “largest” deportation in the US history has sparked controversies and fuelled unease within the diaspora.

Given the concerns revolving around immigration and higher education landscape, you may take note of the following:

• The secret is STEM: Pick fields that improves your chances for employment and visas, such as cybersecurity, fintech, data science, AI, or healthcare, and similar contemporary fields. If the next administration supports the same benefits, the OPT program's 36-month extension for STEM grads may be of immense use.
• Specialised certificates for Upskilling: Go for specialised micro-credentials and certificate courses which might expedite and fast-track visas for study abroad. Sometimes, these credentials help the candidature stand out, and attract prospective employers for possible work opportunities too.
• Dual Degrees & Pathway Programs: You may also want to consider applying to Indian institutions offering pathway programs and dual degree options (1+1, 2+2) in partnership with American universities that may greatly increase your chances of post study work opportunities.
• Employ Fellowships and Internships Wisely: Students who participate in paid internships and co-ops might get experience in the United States that will help them in their post-graduation job applications. A solid work experience might help students stand out, even for foreign jobs with American corporations, if visa requirements tighten.

3. STEM, Research & Fellowship Opportunities:

• Apply for research assistantships and fellowships: There are fellowships in several STEM professions that grant U.S. visas, including company-sponsored research fellowships, and Fulbright. Research positions frequently offer sponsorship possibilities for visas, which can occasionally be less restrictive than those for regular students.
• Research Programs Sponsored by the U.S. Government: For highly skilled research positions with specific visa requirements, certain US based organizations (such as corporate fellowships) provide financial assistance to international students.

4. America-First Policy: Does It Augur Well For The Future Of India?

Trump’s return presents a fresh start for US-India relations. He ran a massive campaign centered around ‘Make America Great Again (MAGA)’ advocating ‘America first’ policy, whilst India would rather find- ‘Make India and America Great Again’ more interesting to hear!

Possible impacts as listed below may stem from the policy of the new administration:  

• Stricter Eligibility for H-1B Visas: The ‘America-first’ stance is sure to focus more on prioritising and increasing job opportunities for its own citizens, and consequently, this may lead to stricter eligibility conditions for H-1B visas.
• US workers in key sectors: Areas such as technology, healthcare, higher education, may see a trend of providing increased opportunities to US workers primarily rather than relying on foreign talent.
• OPT & CPT Limitations: With revamps in the policies of the new administration, the Optional Practical Training (OTP) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) that embraces international students from India, may face some restrictions thereby impacting Indian students’ ability to gain work experience in the US after graduation.
• Higher Wages & Skilled Workers: The policy change may result in a preference for higher minimum pay for visa holders, which would make it less cost-effective for businesses to hire foreign workers for entry-level jobs. Early career opportunities for Indian job candidates may reduce as a result.

With Trump set to make a comeback with the second US presidency, his return holds significant implications for India, spanning economic, diplomatic, socio-political, and educational spheres. US higher education will, however, continue to be popular in the long run. Planning may need to be more strategic, and students should keep up with any changes to the law that might have an impact on their coursework and chances after graduation. Trump's stance on highly skilled immigrants seems more favourable now than it was during his previous administration.

As Indian students comprise the largest international student base on US soil, one can only hope for better days to come with more benefits given. Although Trump's policies may reroute some career paths, they also encourage India to fortify its own economy and also leverage international connections outside of the USA, which will ultimately propel it towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ that is more independent and competitive on a global scale.

(The author is the Head of International Relations at the Great Lakes Institute of Management.)

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