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US honoured to host foreign students: Trump softens F-1, J-1 visa stance

US honoured to host foreign students: Trump softens F-1, J-1 visa stance

It's an honour to host foreign students in the US, said President Donald Trump in a marked departure from his administration's recent policies. Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said, 'It's our honour to have them, frankly, we want to have foreign students, but we want them to be checked.'
Trump was referring to recent visa restrictions on students from China. He had made a similar statement in June last year while campaigning for re-election, proposing automatic green cards for international graduates from US colleges.
'It's so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, from the greatest schools,' Trump said on a podcast in June 2024. 'That is going to end on Day One.'
That promise did not materialise. In fact, since returning to office, Trump's policies on foreign students have taken a sharp turn. A flurry of administrative moves—from halting visa interviews to blocking student entries—has drawn criticism from universities and triggered legal action.
A proclamation signed late Wednesday barred nearly all foreign nationals from entering the US to attend Harvard. A federal judge blocked the order the next day, but confusion continues to ripple across.
Last month Trump suggested that foreign students should be limited to 15 per cent.
Crackdown meets pushback
Education consultants in India say the US remains attractive for many students, despite the uncertainty. Trump's latest remarks have been received with optimism.
Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, said students should focus on their academics and not let policy shifts distract them.
'My very strong public advice to students has been to focus on studies, work hard and enjoy your time there, and figure out life ahead,' he posted on X. 'Yes, your opinion is important, and you are a free-speech kid in the world of today, but guess what—if America in all its design and glory is not going to be ok with expression of a public protest topic, then no one else, including your home countries, is going to be in that place as well. Every single place on this planet has an agenda and we live at a point of time where they will put that first.'
Rahul Subramaniam, co-founder of Athena Education, told Business Standard Indian students were essential to the functioning of many US universities.
'Many public universities rely on their presence for both academic strength and financial sustainability,' he said. 'We see the current developments as a moment of flux, not a structural shift.'
He added that proposals such as granting green cards to top graduates suggest efforts to retain global talent are still alive within the system.
Abhijit Zaveri, founder and director at Career Mosaic, told Business Standard most deportation cases making headlines involve violations of visa conditions.
'Reports of deportations have added to the fear, but these cases are not about law-abiding F-1 visa holders,' said Zaveri. 'They usually involve illegal entry, unauthorised work, or participation in politically sensitive protests.'
Sharp decline in Indian student numbers
India was the largest source of international students in the US in 2024, accounting for nearly 27% of the total foreign student population, according to data from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). But more recent numbers show a reversal.
Between March 2024 and March 2025, the number of active international student records dropped by 11.3%, from 1.153 million to 1.022 million. Indian student numbers saw a steep 28% fall, from 354,295 to 255,442. In contrast, Chinese student enrolments rose slightly to 263,510—up 3.28%.
What explains the drop?
Chris R Glass, professor at Boston College, said several factors could be at play.
'There was a 28% drop from India, which had been on a growth track,' said Glass in a blog post. 'This is linked to a broader 20.5% drop in master's programme enrolments by international students. Bachelor's enrolments stayed stable.'
He added, 'More importantly, as I've argued, international graduate students aren't supplemental income—they're critical scientific infrastructure. They don't merely augment American scientific leadership—in many critical domains, they constitute it.'

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LA protests explode after ICE raids: National guard deployed, marines on standby as tensions surge across California
LA protests explode after ICE raids: National guard deployed, marines on standby as tensions surge across California

Time of India

time41 minutes ago

  • Time of India

LA protests explode after ICE raids: National guard deployed, marines on standby as tensions surge across California

The immigration protests in Los Angeles began after ICE arrested 44 undocumented individuals. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the total number later reached 118. Uniformed ICE agents carried out the operations in unmarked, military-style vehicles. Protesters gathered outside facilities where some of the arrested were believed to be held. This sparked large demonstrations in downtown LA and beyond. What is the government's response? President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles County on Saturday. This move was opposed by both California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass. The Trump administration has now indicated that US Marines could also be deployed if needed. The US military's Northern Command confirmed that about 500 marines are on standby. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a social media post that the Marines and National Guard 'stand with ICE.' Speaker of the House Mike Johnson supported the stance, calling it consistent with the principle of maintaining peace through strength. Where are the protests happening? The demonstrations are largely taking place in downtown Los Angeles. One protest group blocked the 101 Freeway, with reports of objects thrown onto the road and police vehicles being damaged. LAPD declared the area an 'unlawful assembly.' Protesters also spray-painted anti-ICE slogans on the Edward R Roybal Federal Building. In San Francisco, a solidarity protest near an ICE building also led to arrests. Police declared that gathering unlawful and detained about 60 people. What is an unlawful assembly? An unlawful assembly is legally defined as an intentional meeting of three or more people that disturbs public peace. LAPD enforced this definition during the protests and took action when demonstrations disrupted roads and damaged vehicles. How has law enforcement reacted? LAPD Captain Raul Jovel said 10 people were arrested on Sunday. Police Chief Jim McDonnell noted that 29 were arrested the previous day. Jovel also reported that three officers were injured in the clashes, though the injuries were minor and didn't require hospitalisation. What has been vandalised? Some protesters targeted Waymo self-driving cars, setting several on fire and spray-painting anti-ICE slogans. Media reports said the vandalism occurred between Arcadia and Alameda streets. LAPD issued an advisory asking the public to avoid the affected area. Peaceful protests in LA. LA is on fire What are leaders saying? California leaders strongly opposed Trump's actions. Newsom called the deployment a 'serious breach of state sovereignty,' and Bass termed it a 'chaotic escalation.' Both urged protesters not to resort to violence. Former Vice President Kamala Harris said the National Guard deployment was meant to provoke chaos and called it part of a broader agenda to 'spread panic and division.' Trump responded via his Truth Social platform, criticising Newsom and Bass and labelling protesters as 'insurrectionists.' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE would continue enforcing immigration law despite the protests. Are there historical parallels? The Trump administration's actions have drawn comparisons to the 1992 Rodney King riots, where marines were deployed alongside the National Guard after a jury acquitted four officers who were filmed beating a Black man. Those riots lasted six days and resulted in 63 deaths. While the current protests in LA have seen sporadic vandalism, many demonstrations remain peaceful, according to officials.

LA Clashes Escalate as Trump, Newsom Spar Over Troops
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Mint

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  • Mint

LA Clashes Escalate as Trump, Newsom Spar Over Troops

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'Just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn': ABC News reporter slammed for his description of LA riots
'Just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn': ABC News reporter slammed for his description of LA riots

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

'Just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn': ABC News reporter slammed for his description of LA riots

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