Donald Trump: Yet another sensational decision by Donald Trump… This move affects 3 lakh Indian students… and a rush for H-1B visas.People across the world living in the U.S. are always anxious about Donald Trump's unpredictable decisions. Among the foreign communities, Indians form a significant portion, especially those from Telugu states. Trump's frequent policy changes have created a wave of concern, particularly among students pursuing higher education in the U.S. With new rules being introduced frequently, many students are being forced to consider returning to their home countries.
Trump’s government has now dropped another bombshell targeting international students. After already tightening immigration rules, Trump is now planning to cancel work visas for foreign students, causing fresh panic. Many students on F1 and M1 visas are now rushing to obtain H-1B visas as an alternative. There are also discussions around canceling the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program, which currently allows STEM graduates (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to work in the U.S. for a few years after completing their studies.
If the Trump administration gets approval from the U.S. Congress to cancel the OPT program, the future of nearly 3 lakh Indian students will be at risk. Indian students are the primary beneficiaries of the OPT program — in 2023-24 alone, 97,556 Indians used it. Without OPT, students will be forced to leave the U.S. immediately after finishing their courses unless they obtain an H-1B visa, which is granted in very limited numbers.
