Many international students come to America with a dream to settle and start a new life. However, new rules announced by the Trump administration on Monday will make it more difficult.
The Trump administration took one of its most regressive action which targets legal immigration. The new rule could deny green cards to immigrants who use Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers or other forms of public assistance.
However, the rule does not include Pell Grants and other forms of educational assistance and financial aid among the types of benefits that immigrants will be penalized for receiving.
The similar rule was already in place, which does not allow international students to apply for public assistance. But the new law has gone to more full extend and now include a broader range to disqualify international students.
This law would discourage many immigrants, international students from applying for Pell or other federal financial aid.
Because of this retrogressive step by Trump administration, many international students will choose to apply somewhere else.
New admissions of international students are going down already, and last year, 6.6 per cent fewer students came to American universities.
Although the United States remains the top destination for international students to study abroad it would make a significant financial bearing on universities and educational institutions if international students look away towards other destinations.
Canada, UK and Australia already inviting international students where they pay higher fees.
In the United States, international students are already struggling because of delayed OPT visas [a kind of post-study work visa]. Canada and Australia already have a post-study work visa for international students, which legally leads to permanent residency visa and citizenship.
Instead of closing doors for international students, the Trump administration must welcome them, especially who are legally bringing the money to the USA, and helping American universities survive in this competitive era of studying abroad.
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