GG News Bureau
New York, 25th Jan. Concerns have intensified among international students in the US following President Donald Trump’s second term in office, with his administration taking steps to tighten border security and enforce stricter immigration policies. This has led many students, especially those on F-1 visas, to reconsider their part-time job arrangements in light of fears over unauthorized work.
Under the F-1 visa program, international students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on-campus, but many students rely on off-campus jobs to cover living expenses. However, with the Trump administration increasing pressure on illegal immigration, students working in restaurants, retail stores, and gas stations are now anxious about potential immigration enforcement.
Arjun, a graduate student studying in Illinois, shared his experience in an interview with Times of India. “I used to work at a small cafe after college to cover my monthly expenses. I earned $7 per hour and worked six hours a day. It was a comfortable arrangement, but I quit last week after hearing about possible immigration enforcement on unauthorized work. I can’t risk it, especially after borrowing $50,000 (about ₹42.5 lakh) to study here,” he said.
Neha, a master’s student in New York, expressed similar concerns. She and her friends have collectively decided to stop working. “It’s tough, but we don’t want to risk deportation or losing our student visa status. My parents have sacrificed so much to send me here,” she said.
In the absence of jobs, many students have turned to borrowing money from family to make ends meet. The stress over the situation has also taken a toll on their emotional well-being, as they navigate the uncertainty of their future in the US.
In response to the rising concern, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that India has agreed to accept undocumented Indian nationals who may face deportation from the US. However, there is currently no estimate of how many individuals might be affected by the deportations, as Jaishankar emphasized that the Indian origin of individuals would need to be verified before any repatriation.
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