Analysis: How Trump's Policies Will Impact International Students In US Universities?
America draws a million of foreign students but President Trump’s outrageous treatment of US universities, students and a widespread cuts to grants and scientific research, raises 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 educational atmoshphere by threatening to curb federal funds which is mostly spent on research.
The administration is allegedly demanding universities to report students to the federal governmant with hostile views to American values.
Trump has blocked $2.2 billion funding from the Harvard university and pulled $400 million of federal funding from the Columbia University allegedly saying of failing to fight antisemitism on campus. Both the universities remained as the epicentre of pro-Palestine protests on college campuses since 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-deported’ themselves. Many of the well-known institutions including Harvard, Stanford, Michigan, UCLA and Ohio State University areaffected.
Trump administration is putting demands in front of the US universities in return to facilitate the grants and funds, those not complying are facing financial roadblocks. A recent Trump’s administration decision to block over to $2.2 billion funding to presitigious Harvard University’s raises concerns about the US government policies to control campuses and educational institutions. Reportedly, White House sent a list of demands to Harvard last week which is 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 their visas who participated or taking 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 student Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi has errupted widespread demands against the arbitrary decisions by the adminsitration to curb free sppech under the First Amendment. The administration has signed 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 transfering total power to the federal governments has also raised concerns over the equitable access to education by the every section of the society and further increase in education inequality. The easy loans and guidance provided by the central agency will be wiped out after the spraping of the education department.
The cancellation of funds will impact researh and other critical functions of the unviersity 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 future. The move is going to Impact Indian Students with highest number of enrolment 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 the higher education.
