Columbia Crisis: Trump's crackdown sends chill through Indian students
New Delhi: A recent notification by the Trump administration that
Columbia University
failed to meet the standards for accreditation could have far-reaching consequences for students, particularly international students, many of whom are from India, experts said.
Loss of accreditation could mean that securing a visa for studying at Columbia will not be possible. Students may become ineligible for scholarships and grants, and those graduating could struggle for jobs as their degrees would lose recognition.
The US Department of Education announced on Wednesday that it formally notified the
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
, Columbia's accrediting body, that the university may have violated federal anti-discrimination laws by allegedly failing to protect Jewish students on campus. The move, which comes after Trump's order restricting Harvard University from enrolling international students, suggests the US administration is escalating its scrutiny of elite universities. Indians form the second largest student community at Columbia University.
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In the 2024-25 academic year, 1,241 Indian students were enrolled at Columbia. While the latest US action may face legal obstacles, as in the case of Harvard, it does raise uncertainty, said study-abroad experts.
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"This sends a chilling message to Indian students and families," said Adarsh Khandelwal, cofounder of Collegify, a college-admissions consultancy. "These students are not just numbers; they represent dreams, aspirations, and significant investments."
Sukanya Raman, country head at immigration law firm Davies & Associates, explained the risks in stark terms. "Accreditation is a prerequisite for issuing student visas and serves as a foundational eligibility criterion for participation in federal financial aid programmes. Should an institution lose its accredited status, international students may become ineligible for scholarships, grants, or financial assistance that require enrolment in an accredited academic institution."
The absence of institutional accreditation may render academic degrees unrecognised by employers, professional licensing authorities and other educational institutions, said Raman. "This lack of recognition can materially impair a student's ability to pursue gainful employment or advanced academic study, thereby affecting long-term professional and educational outcomes."
Columbia may challenge the threat legally, arguing it undermines academic freedom and institutional autonomy, said experts.
On Thursday, a federal judge in Boston granted a temporary restraining order on Trump's directive banning US entry of foreign nationals seeking admission at Harvard for six months. In her order, US District Judge Allison Burroughs said Harvard would face "immediate and irreparable injury" if the proclamation were to go into effect. A hearing has been scheduled for June 16, giving the university a narrow legal window to push back. Judge Burroughs had last month blocked another Trump order prohibiting Harvard from enrolling international students.
Despite the uncertainty,
education consultants
are urging students not to panic. "We have come across some natural questions and concerns around visa validity," said Manisha Zaveri, joint managing director at education consultancy Career Mosaic. "We are reassuring them that such proclamations often undergo legal review and clarification, and universities typically step up support mechanisms when such uncertainty arises."
Many US institutions are already reaching out to students, clarifying their visa status, providing legal assistance where needed, and even exploring credit transfers or deferral options, she said.
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