The past year has not been easy for Indian youth who are dreaming of studies and jobs in America. The situation changed rapidly in the very first year of President Donald Trump’s second term and it had the biggest impact on Indian students. According to statistics, there has been a huge decline of about 75 percent in the number of Indian students studying in American universities.

According to agencies related to foreign education, the fall session held between August and October was the most affected. This session usually accounts for about 70 percent of the total admissions. But during this time last year, very few students could go to America. The main reason for this was the lack of visa interview slots and strict scrutiny. Many students could not get slots on time, due to which they had to stop their plans.

Visa rules increased the problem

According to the report published in Times of India, education consultants say that only those students who had completed the application by February or March were somehow able to move ahead. Arvind Manduva, director of a Hyderabad-based agency, said that this is the first time that such a large scale decline has been seen. Visa checks became more stringent than ever before, leading to increased rejections and loss of student confidence.

There was hope, but the situation did not change

Many students thought that the situation would be fine by the time they take admission in the spring session i.e. January to March. But this did not happen. Visa slots still remained limited and scrutiny increased further. Even the social media activities of the students started being monitored. This created an atmosphere of tension and fear.

The punishment fell on the students also studying

The situation was even more difficult for students who were already studying in America. According to US State Department data, about 8,000 student visas were canceled by December 2025. Many students suddenly received emails that their F-1 visas had been canceled and they would have to leave the country in a few weeks.

Impact of old matters also

According to the report of Times of India, the surprising thing is that in many cases old and minor cases became the reason for visa cancellation. A 25-year-old student studying in Boston told that in the year 2024, he was issued a challan for speeding, but no case was initiated. Despite this his visa record was cancelled. Later, after submitting the documents with the help of a lawyer, the situation became better, but the tension increased a lot.

Strictness increased on H-1B visa also

Along with students, professionals working on H-1B visa also remained under pressure. The government’s talk of charging huge fees on this visa and reducing it has increased the concern. About 72 percent of the H-1B visa recipients are Indians, most of whom are associated with the IT sector.

dream of job also shattered

Job conditions in America also remained weak. Many companies stopped new recruitments, postponed visa transfers and in some cases even canceled job offers. Saif, 27, who did MBA from Texas, said that even after passing the interview, his offer was later canceled.

Social media becomes new concern

The new guideline became another reason for tension. Under this, H-1B visa holders and their family members were warned to keep their social media accounts public. It was said that anti-American posts could lead to visa cancellation or deportation. Due to this, people started living in fear regarding every post.

Impact on permission to work

The Department of Homeland Security also changed a rule related to work authorization. Earlier, automatic extension was available till the visa was renewed, but now it is not so. This means that if the permission expires and new approval is not received, the work will have to be stopped.

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These days, a new challenge has arisen in front of Indian students going to America on F-1 visa. They are not able to get jobs. Having trouble finding a job. According to the New York Times report, only one question is being asked to the candidates during the interview – “Are you an American?” Most of the non-American citizens are losing out on job opportunities after this question.

Indians successful in every field

In the last several decades, Indians have raised the flag of success in America. From technology to business, art and media, education, economics, you will definitely find some Indian at the top level in every field. The population of Indian-Americans is only 1.5 percent of the total US population, but their success cannot be denied with high education rates, good income and leadership roles in big industries. In many cases, Indian-Americans are performing many times better than Americans. Despite this, Indian students are now facing difficulties in getting jobs in America.

Indian students are decreasing in America

Last year, the number of Indians was found to be high among international students in America, but this year it has decreased by 44 percent. This decline points towards the changes in the policies of Trump 2.0 and the problems created by it. Indian students go to America to study on F-1 visa. It remains valid until your course is completed. After the course is over, students can stay in America for 60 days, but then they have to leave the country. After this one has to apply again for the visa. Students going to America on F-1 visa are also allowed to stay there and work. However, there are some pre-determined terms and conditions for this.

Indian student told her experience

According to Hindustan Times report, Sushma Pasupuleti of Hyderabad took admission in Houston University to pursue PhD in Electrical Engineering in 2023. Now, in a conversation with The New York Times about her job search, she told that in a recent job fair, she kept hopping from one stall to another with a resume in her hand. Almost every recruiter asked him the same question – “Are you a US citizen?” When he did not answer, the conversation did not progress further. “They didn’t even look at my resume,” he told the NYT.

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Indian Student Visa Cancellation: The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has released a report, stating that 50 percent of the American students whose visas were canceled were Indian students. This investigation was conducted on 327 visa cancellation cases during the Donald Trump government. It was found that India is the most affected country. This is followed by China’s number, where 14 percent of the students’ visas were canceled.

It was also told in the report that more than half of the people whose visas were canceled were students who were on optional practical training (OPT). This means that he had completed his studies and was working in America.

Surprising revelations in the report

The Trump administration said that there is some reason behind the cancellation of the visa and the biggest reason for this can be to join political protests. The report states that out of the 327 cases which were investigated, only two students had a history of any such political opposition.

The lawyers’ institution said that 86% of the students said that they had somehow a conversation with the police, but 33% of these cases were later rejected. He was neither accused nor a case. It was also told in the report that two students talking to the police were going to complain in cases of domestic violence, that is, they themselves were victims. There were cases of breaking minor rules related to fast vehicles or parking on some other students.

Association raised questions

The association said that these cases clearly show that transparency, monitoring and responsibility are necessary to cancel the visa and prevent SEVIS (student and exchange visitor information system) records without solid reason. He also said that students should find an easy way to appeal against the termination of SEVIS so that they can keep their point without losing their jobs or bringing the university in the middle. The number of such cases is very high, so it becomes even more important.

The report states that according to a trusted source, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has finished 4,736 SEVIS records since 20 January 2025. More of these students were on F1 visa status. Only 14 percent of the students said that they had received any notice from the ICE and all these students were on OPT (Optional Practical Training). He received a letter in which it was written that his opt has now been abolished. About 7 percent of the students said that they neither received any information from the ICE nor did any notice from their colleges.