Over 7,000 Indian students caught in US immigration crackdown

The re-election of US President Donald Trump has led to major shifts in US foreign policy, especially with regard to immigration.

Over 7,000 Indian students and exchange visitors overstayed their visas in 2023, pointed out Jessica M Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies during an immigration enforcement hearing titled "Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America."

Vaughan also highlighted that over 2,000 nationals of five nations, including India, have overstayed their visas while visiting the US, calling for changes to US immigration laws to address these rising issues.

She proposed eliminating "dual intent" for student visa applicants as one way to address the overstay issue.

In order to do this, candidates would need to make it evident that they intend to return home after finishing their education.

Vaughan's remarks emphasize the US government's growing focus on prioritizing domestic workers over foreign immigrants, marking a significant shift that could impact students aspiring to build a future in the US after completing their education.

On Jan 22, 2025, a hearing was held by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement to discuss how the "Biden-Harris Administration dismantled immigration enforcement" and what steps the Trump administration can take to bring it back.

A number of amendments were suggested during the hearing with the goal of strengthening rules pertaining to student visas.

For students who are already in the US or intend to continue their education there, these changes may have a significant impact on their future plans.

Due to the high rates of overstays, especially from India, visa holders from a few countries may be subject to more scrutiny and penalties.

As a result, visa applications from these nations may be subject to further scrutiny, which could introduce biases in the approval process.

There are also plans to make significant modifications to H-1B visas, which are given to specialized professionals.

Vaughan has suggested that H-1B visas be granted for a maximum of two years, with the possibility of a four-year extension.

There is also a proposal to cap the number of H-1B visas that are granted each year at 75,000, which would include those to research sectors and non-profit organizations.

The highest-paying firms would be given visas in the case of oversubscription, guaranteeing that the most skilled workers receive them.

The US workforce may be significantly impacted by these changes, especially those who have chosen to study in the US in hopes of finding improved job prospects.

Students looking for post-graduation work in particular industries may be impacted if a prohibition on staffing firms sponsoring foreign workers is passed.

There would probably be fewer opportunities for these jobs, and the requirements for the remaining employment would increase.