Trump in White House: Telugu students tread cautiously with their dollar dreams 

Several students who are planning higher education in the US Universities are apprehensive over potential changes to F-1 visa norms, particularly the OPT programme and the future of H-1B 

Hyderabad: As the United States President Donald J Trump intensified the crackdown on illegal immigrants and launched deportations, with around 250 Indians reportedly deported back to the country, Telugu students are exercising caution with regards to their American dreams.

Several students, who are planning higher education in the US universities for the Fall intake this year, are apprehensive that Trump’s administration might introduce stricter immigration regulations.

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Apart from tighter visa rules, students are apprehensive over changes in the optional practical training (OPT) programme norms for the international students on F-1 visas, thereby impacting their job prospects.

Impact on OPT programme

The OPT programme aids international students on F-1 visa to work in the US for about 12 months in the fields directly related to course of study. However, several foreign students have been found illegally working in jobs, which are not linked to their studies, out of the college campus. The US administration may clamp down on this illegal work.

The OPT programme has already been opposed by the advocates of the ‘Make America Great Again’ campaign, stating that OPT has been taking away jobs of the American workers.

Another concern for prospective students has been the future of the H-1B visa, which enables highly skilled professionals to work in the US. While Trump had earlier said he would not stop it, the unpredictability of his stance on issues, particularly with regards to immigration, has led to concerns.

Adopting wait-and-watch policy

“I am closely following the developments in the US. Given the past experience where several Indian students were deported under the previous Trump administration, I don’t want to take risks,” said Thota Sai Kiran, an engineering final-year student, who is planning for higher education in the US.

According to IDP senior manager Faizul Hassan, after Trump took over the administration, the Indian students are being cautious with regards to their higher education in the US. “Though the immigration rules have not been released yet, students are cautious about their plans,” he said.

Long before Trump took over the US administration, there has been a steady decline in the number of international students, particularly Indians.

As per the Open Doors report 2023-24, a total of 3,31,602 Indian students were pursuing academics in the US universities. This, according to the US education experts, has declined compared to previous years.

“Even before the Trump administration, the job situation was not favourable. This has accentuated the high rate of visa rejections. There have been instances where some students’ visas were rejected by their university selection. Now, it’s not that the interest in education in US is on the wane but the students are adopting a wait and watch mode,” said Ajaya Kumar Vemulapati, director, IMFS.