President Donald Trump returned to the White House last Monday, signing several executive orders, including more than a dozen related to immigration. His actions have stirred concern and raised questions, especially among the international student community at Penn State.
Trump’s Immigration Actions
In recent months, President Trump has made significant moves on immigration policy. These include blocking the entry of thousands of refugees who had already been approved to enter the U.S., beginning the process of expelling a million people on temporary legal status, and halting several programs that allowed temporary residency.
With over 9,000 international students enrolled at Penn State, many have strong opinions on how these changes could affect them.
Concerns About Enforcement and Safety
Bhavika Jain, a third-year computer science and mathematics student, emphasized the need to prioritize safety but warned that heavy enforcement could negatively impact immigrants.
“It can lead to broader consequences for immigrants like me who aren’t criminals. Communities feeling targeted and unsafe,” Jain said.
Jain pointed out that the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in sensitive spaces like schools and churches could create fear among immigrants, disrupting their daily lives and access to education and community support.
“When the focus is heavily on enforcement and criminalization, the U.S. might seem less safe or welcoming, particularly to new immigrants,” Jain explained.
She also voiced concerns about the impact of policies targeting states with large immigrant populations, even those protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is granted to individuals from countries facing dangerous conditions.
“It can discourage immigrants from participating in life or reporting crimes due to fear of deportation,” Jain said.
Despite these concerns, Jain expressed gratitude for the support she has received from Penn State, which has provided valuable resources for immigrants.
“For me, Penn State has provided the resources I need as an immigrant, especially since I don’t have much legal knowledge,” Jain shared.
Trump’s Green Card Proposal for International Students
Sahil Pardasani, a fourth-year computer science student, reflected on President Trump’s proposal to offer green cards to international students who graduate from U.S. universities. Pardasani sees this as a potential opportunity but acknowledges its uncertainties.
“These schemes are out of one’s control, and they’re external factors,” Pardasani said. “What one should do is keep on working hard and try to upskill themselves regardless of anything.”
Pardasani noted that the proposal could attract more international students to the U.S., pointing out that data showed a significant increase in foreign students. In the 2023-24 academic year, over 1.1 million international students were enrolled in U.S. academic institutions.
While the policy sounds promising, Pardasani expressed concerns about its implementation, particularly around eligibility. It remains unclear whether the policy would apply to undergraduates, master’s students, or Ph.D. candidates.
“Giving more options to international students would be beneficial for them, as it would open up more avenues to stay here and make their dreams a reality,” Pardasani said.
However, he believes that while this proposal would provide more flexibility for students, it may not lead to significant changes in the long term.
Opportunities and Challenges for International Students
Ananya Karubaki, a third-year biomedical engineering student, views the green card proposal as a major opportunity but also recognizes potential drawbacks.
“It would bring a lot of opportunities to international students since we are limited to certain job options right now,” Karubaki said.
Despite her optimism, Karubaki feels cautious because Trump has not confirmed a plan to implement the policy, leaving room for doubt.
“Tying a green card to earning a college degree is an incentive to us and will inspire and motivate a lot of international students to put in the work,” Karubaki said.
However, she also expressed concerns about the possible impact on the job market. “It can lead to too many people in some job fields, and in others, there may be too few,” Karubaki explained.
Additionally, Karubaki worried that some students might focus too much on the end result—obtaining a green card—rather than the educational process itself. She also noted the challenges that international students face when trying to adapt to a new country and culture.
“Students may not be able to be financially independent and could struggle with adapting to the social environment, new languages, accents, and other pressures that can push them to get a green card,” Karubaki said.
Conclusion
As President Trump’s immigration policies continue to evolve, Penn State students have shared a mix of hope and concern about their potential impact. While some see the green card proposal as a promising opportunity, others fear that heavy enforcement could make the U.S. seem less welcoming. With many uncertainties still surrounding the future of these policies, international students are left navigating a changing landscape in their pursuit of education and opportunity.
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