The nightmares of H-1B visa holders and Indian students in the U.S. have come true. As many expected, Donald Trump’s influence has started to negatively impact the Indian community, particularly students.
Since COVID, the U.S. has eased visa restrictions and approved lakhs of Indian student visas to support its universities, as international students contribute significantly through tuition fees and overall spending.
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However, an anti-H-1B and anti-illegal immigration movement is now gaining momentum. Trump’s administration has taken it seriously, leading to ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids that are causing panic among H-1B visa holders and Indian students.
As a result, many Indian restaurants, desi grocery stores, and other Indian-owned businesses have begun removing Indian students from illegal part-time jobs. This has created a distressing situation for many Indian Masters students who rely heavily on these off-campus jobs for their livelihood.
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Even Indian businesses that rely on cheap labor from master’s students are in panic mode now, fearing they might get caught. If they are, they face severe legal consequences and fines.
Indian students, who are in large numbers in the U.S., are already extending their stay in an extremely tough job market, hoping to secure an H-1B visa through the lottery or land their first job. However, with the recent immigration raids, many are now unable to even cover their monthly expenses.
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A significant number of Indian students are now financially dependent on their parents, who must send money from India to support them.
However, this is not a feasible solution, as sending financial support in dollars from India requires substantial wealth. The majority of Indian students in the U.S. have taken loans to study and used a student visa as a pathway to enter the country, supporting themselves through part-time illegal jobs.
With ICE raids intensifying, panic has spread, and the impact is visible across the U.S. Many desi grocery stores have started posting hiring signs, but with a clear note stating that only individuals with legal work status are eligible to apply.
This situation is expected to worsen, creating a highly challenging scenario for Indian students and a distressing time for their parents in India, who are struggling to support them financially. It remains to be seen how they will navigate this difficult period.
