Following Donald Trump’s second Presidential election victory on 5th November, students at Ashoka University considering postgraduate studies in the United States of America (U.S.) are concerned about policy changes affecting student visas and work permits. Trump’s new term will emphasise tighter immigration policies, mirroring his previous term, marked by increased restrictions on H-1B visas for international students.
Students aspiring to pursue graduate studies in the U.S. expressed concerns over the potential impact of his restrictive immigration policies, especially on H-1B visas and the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which directly affects international students' job prospects and work stability post-graduation, and issues related to safety. However, for some students, these visa restrictions do not hinder their aspirations to study in the U.S.
The H-1B visa is part of a government-formulated program that allows American employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations which require specialised knowledge and need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. According to the American Immigration Council, more than 7.5 lakh students were admitted to the United States under H-1B status in 2023.
The main concerns of students at Ashoka are job prospects and living conditions after completing their postgraduate studies. More than five students The Edict spoke to voiced these concerns. Siddhant Shetty (ASP’25) revealed that his original plan was to study in the U.S., but in the month leading up to the election, he began to seriously consider applying to universities in the U.K. He expressed his reservations about changes in visa and immigration policies, stating, “If something happens midway, like immigrant problems or visa situations, I have to deal with completely by myself, and that does bother me.”
For Anshika Ravi* (ASP’25) safety, bias, and racism are major concerns about studying in the U.S. Echoing Shetty’s concerns about the visa application process, they feared they might have to leave the U.S. midway through their studies because of harsher visa restrictions.
Aarav Bedi*, an Ashoka alumnus of the batch of ASP’24 currently residing in the U.S., noted that Stephen Miller, who played a key role in immigration policies during Trump's first term previously proposed bills that would limit options for students on STEM OPT and H-1B visas. Miller attempted to require students with U.S.-earned MS or PhD degrees to work in another country before being allowed to start working in the U.S. and has now returned as the appointed deputy Chief of Staff for Trump’s second term.
With both the House and Senate now under Republican control, Bedi worries that Miller's restrictive bills might pass more easily, potentially limiting legal recourse to block them. He emphasises the uncertainty around future policy shifts, especially as Trump’s stance on immigration has been consistently strict.
Indians made up a majority of the H-1B applicants and therefore, are disproportionately affected by these restrictions. The average denial rate for H-1B between 2016 - 2020 was 18%, as opposed to 3.2% under the Biden administration. Commenting on the possibility of tighter restrictions, Seeta Sharma, Senior Advisor for International Mobility at the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, notes that the U.S. economy relies on skilled immigrants, especially in technology fields facing labour shortages. “Tightening skilled visa programs, such as the H-1B, could provoke a backlash from industries reliant on foreign talent, particularly as critical workforce gaps grow.”
Recalling Trump’s first term, Ashoka student, Sashank Rajaram (ASP’25) said that Indian students were not deterred from applying back then, adding that “The U.S thrives on immigration, the aim is to curb illegal immigrants.” Regarding visa concerns and the potential restrictions that the Trump administration may impose, Rajaram also pointed out that students are likely to be bothered by migration policy changes only after they finish their graduate studies. Rajaram believes the likelihood of adverse effects on international students is higher when applying for jobs in the U.S.
For some students, the change in administration does not play as pertinent a role in applications. Prisha Singh* (ASP’25), mentioned that the hesitation they faced to apply for their Masters abroad stemmed from a broader sense of global job insecurity rather than the Trump administration in the U.S. by itself, even though the latter exacerbated their concerns.
Raman Gupta* (ASP’25), reflected on the social mobility that education in the U.S. could provide them and remarked that it far outweighed the political uncertainty and right-wing jingoism that could threaten them. They believe that “the institution's quality will remain intact for the foreseeable future”, so Trump's winning is not a big deciding factor in their application process.
The scope of American scholarships and the financial aid they provide remain the main motivation to apply regardless of the administration in power. Rajaram commented that U.S. scholarships were more comprehensive than their European counterparts. “Europe is very stingy with its scholarships. It compensates for the so-called Trump factor,” he added.
Mohan Aggarwal*, a research associate at Ashoka University, shared insights with The Edict on choosing the U.S. over Europe for doctoral studies. They say that research funding is significantly higher in the U.S. than in Europe. Places like Germany, France, and Scandinavian countries, tend to be more xenophobic and less welcoming to international scholars.
The associate believes the U.S. remains a more viable choice for those seeking access to extensive capital networks and research funding. Applying to PhD programmes in the Fall 2025 intake, they expect to complete their PhD by 2030, with hopes that a more favourable government may come into power by the 2028 U.S. elections.
The larger concerns with the incoming Trump administration are about the immigration policies that the administration is looking to impose, which could potentially affect non-American nationals who are looking for jobs after they finish their studies. The impact is greater on Indian nationals for whom the U.S. is a sought-after location for education and work. For some students, like Shetty, the preference for the Masters programs in the U.K. is also marked by the relative stability of the political regime in the country because international students on visas are not under any threat of deportation “At least I know that in the next two years, they are not going to throw me out,” Shetty adds.
Sharma suggests that while Trump’s short-term restrictions may challenge international students, his business-oriented approach could ultimately benefit skilled immigrants. A merit-based immigration system and reduced irregular migration could open new pathways for STEM graduates. She also believes that while Trump’s rhetoric appeals to certain voters, the actual policy impact on Indian students may be moderate, with some changes potentially offering long-term advantages, and Trump’s business-friendly, market-oriented policies offer long-term benefits.
*Pseudonyms have been provided to some sources to preserve their anonymity.
(Edited by Anushka Navaneeth, Aditya Roy and Keerthana Panchanathan)
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