Analysis: How Trump's Policies Will Impact International Students In US Universities?
America draws a million foreign students, but President Trump’s outrageous treatment of US universities and students and widespread cuts to grants and scientific research raise concerns over multiple aspects in US centres of higher learning. Since Donald Trump came to power again, his administration has tried to reshape universities and the educational atmosphere by threatening to curb federal funds, which are mostly spent on research.
The administration is allegedly demanding universities report students to the federal government with hostile views to American values.
Trump has blocked $2.2 billion in funding from Harvard University and pulled $400 million of federal funding from Columbia University, allegedly saying they are failing to fight antisemitism on campus. Both the universities remained as the epicentre of pro-Palestine protests on college campuses since the October 7 attacks and Israeli retaliation on Gaza people.
Foreign students are being deported for minor violations such as parking or speeding tickets. Reportedly, visas of nearly 500 students were suddenly revoked, with some students sent to the deportation centres and some also ‘self-deporting’ themselves. Many of the well-known institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Michigan, UCLA and Ohio State University, are affected.
The Trump administration is putting demands in front of the US universities in return for facilitating the grants and funds; those not complying are facing financial roadblocks. A recent Trump administration decision to block over $2.2 billion in funding to prestigious Harvard University raises concerns about the US government’s policies to control campuses and educational institutions. Reportedly, the White House sent a list of demands to Harvard last week, which it argues were designed to fight antisemitism on campus. The demands include changes to its governance, hiring practices, and admission procedures.
The US administration is deporting and cancelling the visas of those who participated or took participation in the pro-Palestine protests on the university campuses. President Trump has accused leading universities of failing to protect Jewish students on college campuses. The detention of Palestinian students Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi has erupted widespread demands against the arbitrary decisions by the administration to curb free speech under the First Amendment. The administration signed the Laken Riley Act into law in January 2025, which mandates detaining immigrants charged with certain crimes.
Trump’s administration proposal to get away with the US Education Department and transfer total power to the federal governments has also raised concerns over equitable access to education for every section of society and a further increase in education inequality. The easy loans and guidance provided by the central agency will be wiped out after the scraping of the education department.
The cancellation of funds will impact research and other critical functions of the university, including students, faculty, research and staff, among others. The detention and cancellation of visas of foreign students can create a plausible shift in students opting for US universities for higher education in the future. The move is going to impact Indian students with the highest number of enrolments in US universities. It is expected that such decisions will drive international students to flock to other universities, such as European or more attractive places.
Also, universities are concerned about the autonomy in decision-making and freedom of speech on the university campuses. The arbitrary executive orders by the administration can impact foreign students and disrupt higher education.
