Study Abroad: As US gears for Trump 2.0, mixed signals for Indian students; STEM fields offer hope

NEW DELHI: Despite looming policy shifts under a Trump presidency, Indian students and experts see a nuanced landscape for educational and career prospects in the United States.

Former US President and Republican Donald Trump made a comeback as he won a second term in office this week defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, to become the 47th president of the United States.

"I am aware of the importance of being adaptable,” said Soma Duggaraju, a recent MBA graduate from Rice University, Houston, Texas. While mindful of alternative immigration on pathways, he remains optimistic citing Trump’s previous support for high-achieving international graduates, including proposals for automatic Green Cards for college graduates.

The US recently bolstered its commitment to Indian education by announcing 2,50,000 additional visa slots for Indian students and tourists. Last year alone, over 1.4 lakh student visas were issued to Indians.

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Trump’s merit-based immigration, visa policies

Madhur Gujar, co-founder of Amber, offers a balanced perspective on Trump’s proposed merit-based immigration system. “While Trump’s policies may clamp down on illegal immigration, they may also create advantageous pathways for skilled graduates to settle in the US,” he notes.

“President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal for automatic Green Cards for graduates and the support for a merit-based immigration system could be seen as favourable for India’s study-abroad market.”

However, Delhi-based study-abroad consultant Amit Sharma cautions about more complications. “Longer processing times, more frequent rejections, and potentially reduced student numbers” could become a reality, particularly affecting fields outside the high-demand categories.

The H-1B visa policy, a popular work visa route for international graduates, could also see revisions that cap or increase the number of visas issued, impacting the post-graduation job market.

Also read Study Abroad: US, Germany more popular among foreign students; Canada, UK lose appeal, shows IDP survey

Study in US: Silver lining for STEM fields

Despite stricter policies, there is a silver lining for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Sonal Kapoor, global chief commercial officer of Prodigy Finance, highlights the Trump administration's historical support for STEM graduates whose skills align with the US labour market.

“STEM students tend to face fewer obstacles in obtaining post-graduation work opportunities. Trump's policies on Optional Practical Training (OPT) for STEM graduates aim to retain these skilled workers,” she said, noting extended work periods in the tech and analytics sector.

For Indian students in STEM fields, Trump’s return may offer a mixed but cautiously optimistic scenario. Kapoor believes that Trump’s support for legal, merit-based immigration suggests that highly qualified students may continue to find opportunities.

With the added 2,50,000 visa slots in 2024, Indian students may still find viable pathways, particularly if they align their studies with in-demand sectors like STEM, she feels.

Duggaraju remains steadfast in his outlook. “His (Trump) stance has primarily been against illegal immigration, not targeting international students who come to the US to study and work legally,” he said.

“Additionally, if my visa were to be affected, there are other immigration options available that would allow me to continue my career in the United States,” Duggaraju said, expressing confidence in finding viable career pathways for his American career aspirations.