Indian students leaving part-time positions in the US due to Trump’s threats of deportation.

In the weeks leading up to US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, numerous Indian students studying in the US have left their part-time jobs due to concerns over deportation. Certain students holding an F-1 visa can work up to 20 hours a week on campus. Nevertheless, they often resort to unregistered side jobs to cover their expenses.

As Trump returns to power, these students prefer not to jeopardize visa rules and face deportation, especially since they have acquired a substantial student loan to support their studies. In an interview with a news channel, several of these students expressed their struggles regarding how they are coping during the Trump era. “I worked in a little café after my college classes to manage my monthly costs.” “I made $7 each hour and worked six hours daily,” stated a graduate student from the University of Illinois.

“Though it was a comfortable arrangement, I quit last week after hearing that immigration authorities might crack down on unauthorised work. I can’t take any chances, especially after borrowing $50,000 (Rs 42.5 lakh approx.) to study here,” he added. Several Indian students used to work at restaurants, gas stations, or retail stores to cover rent, groceries, and other living costs. However, amid fears that the Trump administration would tighten its noose on immigration, the students don’t want to take any risks.

A few students mentioned that they are in the process of evaluating the situation for several months before deciding whether to resume part-time jobs. These students stated that they are currently depending on their savings or loans from friends and family back in India to cover expenses. “However, it is not a viable solution,” another student studying computer science in Texas mentioned in a news article.

“I have already used up most of my savings and have started borrowing small amounts from my roommate. I don’t know how long I can go on like this,” he furthered. The instability has also sparked mental health concerns with some students struggling to navigate through financial and emotional strain.

While Trump has maintained that lenient stance on H-1B visas as compared to the last time he was in power and encouraged international students to study in American Universities, Indians studying abroad don’t want to take a risk by breaking any visa rules.