Imagine a country that invites the best students in the world to study there just to deport them for violation of movement.
This country may soon be America as the Trump administration has begun to repeal the legal status of foreign students. The government has not provided little or no explanation for this measure, and some students have judged that it is alleged that they are illegitimate withdrawals due to mild or committed crimes that do not deserve to end their visas.
The cancellation of legal status massively for unclear or illegitimate reasons contributes to the climate of uncertainty, which will bring the best and most brilliant students in other countries, preventing their lives and depriving the United States of massive talent.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that at that moment he canceled 300 student visas – a number that has increased to at least 1000 ever since. Rubio declares that these visas have been canceled because of the owners of their holders, “take activities that are contrary to our […] Foreign policy,“ And that some cancers may be related to potential criminal activity.
Based on what is known about some of the legal statues that have been abolished, it is not clear that this is the case for those students who have already gone through extensive checks when applying for their visas. Immigration lawyer Charles Cook, who is involved in one of the court cases against the Government to terminate the SEVIS records (student and information system for exchanges), said in an interview that many students had terminated their status only because of a violation of the movement or a released crime from years ago and some did not have a criminal record at all. His clients also participated in propalist protests. The government did not give a clear reason why their statuses were terminated. “Ice did not tell these students what they did wrong,” Cook said.
Student visas are expensive and difficult to get. Applicants must be accepted by the American University, pay huge fees, comply with many regulations and provide funding for their education and living costs throughout their education. (These visas often do not allow students to work while studying.) This process is already excessive and discourages many talented personalities to apply.
The widespread annulment of legal status for hundreds of apparently peaceful students is a loss to America. These people are among the “best and most bright” who come here to strive for a great education, are ready to pay for it and often strive to build a life here. They know that this country provides unique opportunities and they are significantly taking advantage of this opportunity.
Americans benefit from international students. Student visas function as a talent pipeline that brings workers to various key sectors, such as healthcare and STEM, which the labor market is desperate for. These visas also enhance the US economy: at Nafsa, in 2023-2024, a school year, international students contributed to $ 43.8 billion to the economy and supported over 378,000 jobs in America.
President Trump himself emphasized the decisive value of international students. During his presidential campaign, he said, “If you finish or receive a doctoral degree from college, you should be able to stay in this country” and that graduates should receive a green card. He was right – America must attract more talents and offer them a way to citizenship in the most free country on Earth.
But Trump’s administration turns in the opposite direction. The uncertainty and lack of clarity behind the termination of the student’s condition send a chilling message to the “best and most bright” abroad: do not come here -the smallest mistake (as a violation of movement) will deport you, make you lose life savings you have spent on your entire life. For some students, there will not even be a virgin record – their status can be terminated anyway if the claims in court cases are true. Attorney Cook expressed that Hes “had never seen anything like after 35 years” from practicing law.
Smart people love to plan for a long time and enjoy stability. If these mass withdrawals continue, international students will refuse to come to America and go to Canada, UK or elsewhere. Not only would this be a hit for those who seek freedom in America, but Americans will be deprived of hiring and working with these talented personalities and lose their abilities as doctors, lawyers, engineers and countless other professions.
In the end, the entire student visa program must be reworked to allow more university freedom to attract students and companies to hire them. But for now, this student visa program should make it easier, not more difficult, to come here. The president of the president longed the idea of attaching a green card to every degree of college was good then – and his administration must pursue this region instead of the path that is currently.
America must want to tire the brain of the rest of the world. We have to send a clear message to students everywhere: if you are productive and want to live freely, welcome here. This is both moral and practical choice. This will benefit Americans by attracting more doctors, scientists, innovators and future producers, which makes this country more free, more fascinated and more successful.
Agustina Vergara Cid, Ll.b. and ll.m, is a young vote associate. Her comment appeared in the Register of Orange, RealClearpolitics and The Hill. Follow it at X: @agustinavcid