One year of Trump: Indian students, professionals live on the edge as immigration rules see sudden changes | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: As US president Donald Trump completes one year in office, immigration stands out as the most unsettled fronts of his second term of presidency. Be it Indian students, skilled professionals or even green card holders – every section has been left grappling with uncertainty, fear and sudden disruptions through the year, thanks to Trump’s policy revisions.The first tremors were felt on American campuses as enrolment of Indian students in US universities plummeted by over 70% to 75%. According to study-abroad consultants, the Fall 2025 intake (Aug to Oct) – which accounts for 70% of the annual intake — took the hardest hit. Visa interview slots were scarce, forcing many to shelve their US plans. Only those who had completed applications by February or March were able to proceed.

“This was the first time in decades that we saw such a sharp drop in enrolment numbers,” said Arvind Manduva of I20 Fever, a registered consultancy. “Increased scrutiny drove up the visa rejection rate. That coupled with limited slots made students hesitant to apply to the top 40 American universities,” he added.Though many students deferred their admissions plans to the Spring (Jan to March) session –hoping for the dust to settle – they too were left disappointed. Slots continue to be few and far between with social media scrutiny at its peak. Visas revokedFor students already in the US, the year was even harsher. By mid-year, US department of state data showed that nearly 8,000 student visas were revoked (up to Dec 2025).What unsettled many was how suddenly it unfolded. In April 2025, Indian students started receiving emails from Designated School Officials (DSOs) informing them that their F-1 visa status was revoked, and within weeks they had to leave the country. In several cases, the revocations were linked to criminal charges—some dating back months or longer—that were already dismissed or resolved.Students rushed to advocates to seek legal intervention. “I got a ticket for overspeeding in 2024, but no charges were filed. Yet, my SEVIS was revoked. After I contacted a lawyer and submitted paperwork, it was reinstated. But it feels like we are living on the edge every day,” said a 25-year-old student who completed his master’s in project management in Boston, echoing the sentiment of hundreds of others who had taken similar recourse to continue living in the US.Fee hike rattled H-1B holdersThe pressure was not limited to students. Skilled migration—particularly the H-1B programme—remained firmly in the political spotlight. Proposals such as a USD 100,000 fee for H-1B (roughly Rs 90 lakh) and repeated calls to scale down the programme rattled both employers and applicants.Incidentally, Indians account for about 72% of H-1B beneficiaries (as per USCIS), most of them working in the IT sector.Highest deportationsImpact of the policy decision showed in the US department of state numbers. According to its data, nearly one lakh visas (a larger section of them Indians), across different categories, were revoked during the last 12 months. Deportations, meanwhile, climbed to levels not seen in decades. Around 3,800 individuals—largely workers—were deported in 2025, with Indian nationals among the worst hit. A ministry of external affairs (MEA) report noted that most Indians removed from the US—the country with the second highest count of deportations after Saudi Arabia—were from Washington DC (3,414) and Houston (234). This included 45 students.Jobs offers on hold, revokedThe job market too went on the back foot. Companies grew cautious, delaying onboarding, freezing visa transfers, and, in some cases, revoking offers. “I cleared interviews and was told by the talent acquisition team that I was selected, with only the official letter pending. Later, my offer was cancelled,” said Saif H, a 27-year-old from Hyderabad who completed his master’s in business management from Texas. “They said they would get back once things settle, but they never did.“Surveillance added another layer of stress. A new US state department rule was floated warning even H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents to keep their social media accounts public for visa vetting. The message was clear: posts critical of the US could lead to visa cancellations, deportations. At the same time, the department of homeland security ended automatic extensions of employment authorization documents (EADs), forcing foreign workers to stop working once permits expired, unless renewals were approved. Earlier foreign nationals could legally keep working while their EAD renewal applications were pending, often for up to 540 days.Rise in distress callsAs anxiety mounted, Indian embassies and helplines saw a spike in distress calls. Over 620 immigration-related complaints were registered on MEA grievance platforms such as MADAD and CPGRAMS during the year. “We continue to get calls from students, professionals, and even long-term residents,” said Ravi Lothumalla, immigration consultant and founder of US Admissions in Dallas. “Most are related to increased scrutiny over documents, visa status, work authorisation, and overstays under the Trump administration.“2026 no different?Immigration lawyers feel that the situation is likely to persist in 2026. “There is a clear mandate to enforce every nuance of immigration law now,” said Nicole Gunara, principal immigration attorney at US-based Manifest Law. “Maintaining valid status, correct work authorisation, and responding promptly to govt notices was never more important.”Not surprising then, even those who believed they were settled in the US are now rethinking their future. Aziz Nooruddin, 57, from Nagpur, who has lived in the US for nearly two decades, said the last few months have been unlike anything before. “We pay taxes, our children earn and pay taxes, and we follow every rule while building our lives here. But we have never felt this unsafe before. Constant checks, carrying documents everywhere—we feel like criminals in the country we call home,” he rued.A quiet tightening of the screwsOver the past year, the US has rolled out tighter immigration rules and stricter enforcement, reshaping the experience of students, skilled workers and visitors$250 compliance fee: From Jan 2026, F, M, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants must pay an extra $250 (Rs 22,700) in addition to visa fees. The amount is refundable only if all visa conditions are met and the applicant exits on timeSocial media scrutiny: The 2019 rule requiring disclosure of social media handles (Instagram, Reddut, X and others) is now being actively enforced, with some applicants facing delays despite clean profilesVisa processing centralised: F, M and J visa renewals are being processed mainly in Chennai and Delhi, even if documents are submitted elsewhere Tighter student work rules: USCIS has increased scrutiny of on-campus jobs and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Unreported work or any violation of F-1 work rules can lead to deportation or future visa denial‘Specialty occupation’ norms: USCIS has updated definition of ‘speciality occupation’. Educational qualification must now directly align with job duties, not merely connected. Someone with business degree can’t be hired fir a coding jobMore workplace inspections: USCIS officers can visit workplaces, including third-party sites, to verify roles, duties and wagesHigher H-1B sponsor costs: Employers face a one-time $100,000 fee for sponsoring H-1B workers; the H-1B registration fee has also risen from $10 to $215Spike in Request for Evidence: There’s an increase in RFEs, a notice USCIS sends when your application is missing documents or clarification. These can delay or lead to denial of the petition, especially in tech roles or jobs involving contractors or third-party locationsB1/B2 rescheduling limits: Applicants who cancel or miss a B1/B2 interview can reschedule only once without charge. Any further attempt requires paying the full visa fee againEnd of automatic EAD extensions: Workers must now stop employment once Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) expire, unless renewals are approved — earlier extensions allowed work continuation for up to 540 days