President Trump’s decision to terminate hundreds of international students’ F1 visas has sparked widespread concern and protests among Chinese and Indian students, leaving many facing deportation or visa cancellation.
The Trump administration’s decision to terminate the F-1 visas of hundreds, if not thousands, of international students has sparked widespread concern and protests.
The United States has a complex visa policy that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in the country for various purposes.
There are several types of visas, including non-immigrant visas (B1/B2, F1, H1B) and immigrant visas (family-based, employment-based).
The US Department of State and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) oversee visa applications and processing.
Applicants must meet specific requirements, such as obtaining a sponsor or demonstrating financial resources.
The average processing time for a US visa is 6-12 months, but can vary depending on the type of visa and individual circumstances.
Three Indian and two Chinese students have joined a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and other immigration officials, alleging that their student status was terminated without proper notice.
The lawsuit claims that the government’s actions have resulted in ‘severe financial and academic hardship‘ for affected students. For instance, Hangrui Zhang, a Chinese national, had invested $329,196 (€289,467) in his research assistantship, which was terminated due to the termination of his F1 visa status. Another student, Linkhith Babu Gorrela, is set to graduate on May 20 but cannot complete his degree or participate in an additional training program without a valid F1 visa.
The lawsuit accuses the government of not providing required notice before terminating a foreign student’s legal status. This lack of transparency has left many students uncertain about their future and facing deportation or visa cancellation. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the lawsuit on behalf of the affected students, highlighting the need for due process and fair treatment of international students in the US.
The Trump administration’s tightening of student visa policies has sparked concern among universities, advocacy groups, and international students. Chinese and Indian students make up a significant portion of international students in the United States, with over 1,000 students having had their visas revoked or legal status terminated since late March. The impact of these policies on academic and financial careers will be closely watched as the lawsuit continues to unfold.
According to UNESCO, there are over 5.6 million international students worldwide.
The United States hosts the largest number of international students, followed by the United Kingdom and Australia.
International students contribute significantly to their host countries' economies, with a total global value of $350 billion annually.
The most popular fields of study among international students are business, engineering, and computer science.
