US Halts Student Visa Interviews, Targets Chinese Applicants

President Donald Trump's administration has implemented significant restrictions on international student visas, including a temporary halt on scheduling new visa interviews globally and enhanced vetting measures, particularly targeting Chinese nationals studying in critical fields. These policies have sparked concerns from experts like former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who warns that such measures could harm the U.S. higher education sector, which benefits economically and academically from international students, and may drive students to more welcoming countries like Australia and the UK. University migrants and international students have actively opposed these reforms, emphasizing the importance of the U.S. as a nation of immigrants and advocating for collective action to protect their educational and career opportunities. The visa restrictions have also led to human rights concerns, as exemplified by the detention of individuals eligible for deportation protections like DACA, highlighting the administration's broader immigration crackdown. Meanwhile, some leaders in other countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, view the U.S. visa pause as an opportunity to attract students to local institutions. Overall, the evolving U.S. visa policies present both challenges and potential shifts in global education dynamics and immigration debates.