Trump effect: Why are Indian students cutting short December holidays to return to US?

India/US: December holidays turn stressful for Indians in the United States (US) amid H-1B visa concerns and for students studying in the Universities as Donald Trump prepares for office in 2025.

Yes! For many Indians living in the US, December is traditionally a time for holidays and vacations. However, the 2024 holiday season has taken an unexpected turn for those on H-1B visas, with warnings issued to apply for extensions well before Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. Immigration lawyers and experts have urged swift action due to potential policy changes under the new administration, based on the precedent set during Trump’s first term.

Also, many universities in the US have also asked foreign students, including Indians, to return early from their winter break.

Why the Alert?

The alert stems from Trump’s history of imposing restrictions on US visa programs and international travel. Shortly after taking office in 2017, he signed an executive order banning residents from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. The order impacted students, academics, and professionals, disrupting their plans and status.

Advisory issued in Universities

Messages urging caution have flooded WhatsApp groups and local networks. One widely shared message warned: “All Indian students and employees traveling to India for holidays must return before January 20. Those with pending visa renewals should ensure they file extensions before the new administration assumes office.”

Universities have also issued advisories to Indian students, encouraging them to return to the U.S. before Trump presidential inauguration to avoid potential travel bans and scrutiny.

"We were advised to return in the first week of January, and our academic calendar has been adjusted accordingly. Although we are all legally studying in the US, there is widespread concern about what decisions Trump might make. Any changes to visa policies may not directly impact Indian students with valid visas, but our universities have advised us not to take any risks," said Vamsi, an Indian student at the University of Massachusetts.

This has caused anxiety among many Indians visiting family, attending weddings, or enjoying long-awaited vacations in India. Students are worried about their visas and whether they'll be allowed to continue their education.

According to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, over 400,000 undocumented students are currently enrolled in US colleges and universities.

Indians in the U.S. on Alert

Immigration attorneys acknowledge that while speculation about drastic policy shifts persists, these are, as of now, only rumors. Attorneys emphasize that individuals with proper documentation and legal status can travel freely, provided they adhere to necessary guidelines.

However, given the uncertainty associated with Trump’s past policies, many Indians are not taking chances, preferring to secure their status in advance.

Immigration attorneys are advising H-1B visa holders whose extensions are due to act immediately.

An email shared by one Indian read: With the upcoming transition of the new administration in January 2025, there is an increasing likelihood of policy changes affecting H-1B visas. During the previous Trump administration, we observed significant increases in prevailing wage levels for Labor Condition Applications (LCA), stricter scrutiny of specialty occupations, record-high Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and lengthy processing delays. These changes created uncertainty and challenges for H-1B holders. To mitigate potential risks, we strongly recommend filing extension petitions as soon as possible, ideally before the new administration takes office. Early filing can help secure status under current, more predictable regulations and avoid unexpected hurdles from sudden policy changes.

An Indian resident in the US, speaking anonymously, shared their concerns: "I received an email from my immigration lawyer advising me to apply for an H-1B extension immediately. My six-year visa expires next year, and I need my green card application (I-140) approved beforehand. Everyone is worried because Trump has a history of abrupt policy changes."

Associate Dean and Director at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) International Students Office David Elwell in a post following the presidential elections said that with every election, “when there is a change in administration on the federal level there can be changes in policies, regulations, and legislation that impacts higher education as well as immigration and visa status matters". Elwell urged students to assess their travel plans over the upcoming winter break, noting that new executive orders under Trump may impact travel and visa processing.

In addition, election transitions also impact staffing levels at US Embassies/Consulates abroad, which could impact entry visa processing times.

“Students who would need to apply for a new entry visa at the US Embassy/Consulate abroad to return to the US in their student status should assess the possibility of facing any extensive processing times and have a backup plan if they must travel abroad and wait for a new entry visa to be issued. Any processing delays could impact students’ ability to return to the US as planned,” Elwell said.

The Office of Global Affairs at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in an advisory recommended that its “international community-- including all international students, scholars, faculty and staff under UMass immigration sponsorship" strongly consider returning to the US before the presidential inauguration if they are planning on travelling internationally during the winter holiday break.

While noting that this was not a requirement or mandate from UMass, nor was it based on any current US government policy or recommendation, the university added that “given that a new presidential administration can enact new policies on their first day in office (January 20) and based on previous experience with travel bans that were enacted in the first Trump administration in 2017", the Office of Global Affairs is making this advisory out of an abundance of caution to hopefully prevent any possible travel disruption to members of our international community.

"We are not able to speculate on what a travel ban will look like if enacted, nor can we speculate on what particular countries or regions of the world may or may not be affected.” The Wesleyan Argus, the college newspaper of Wesleyan University, said in a report that the university has been “evaluating the potential future impacts" of the Trump administration on international and undocumented students.

Indian students choosing the US

The number of Indian students going to the US is growing fast as compared to three other countries -- Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

A recent report by the International Educational Exchange revealed that in 2023, India surpassed China as the top place of origin for international students, with a record 3,31,602 Indian students in the US in 2023-2024. This was a 23 percent increase from the previous year (2022).

According to the report, Indian enrolments increased primarily at the graduate (1,96,567, +19 percent) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) academic levels (97,556, +41 percent.

OPT is a temporary work permit that allows F-1 international students to gain practical experience related to their field of study.