Trump Defends Foreign Students in US Amid Visa Crackdown: 'Good for Business' and Higher Education
Image Source: Internet
In a surprising U-turn, US President Donald Trump has defended the practice of allowing international students to study in the US, citing the economic benefits it brings to American colleges and universities. Speaking to Fox News, Trump emphasized that reducing the number of international students would be detrimental to the nation's higher education system. According to Trump, cutting the number of international students in half would lead to financial ruin for many American colleges, particularly smaller and historically Black institutions that rely heavily on international tuition. The President pointed out that international students pay more than double what local students pay and contribute trillions of dollars to the US economy. While Trump acknowledged that some may view international students as a threat, he stressed that he sees them as a valuable asset to the country's education system. 'I want to see our school system thrive,' he said. 'It's not that I want them, but I view it as a business.' This shift in stance comes at a time when the US has been cracking down on student visas. Earlier this year, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, suspended student visa interviews due to stricter screening measures. As a result, Indian students have been exploring alternative options, with a 39% decline in enrollment in the US this year. However, data from the OECD International Migration Outlook 2025 suggests that Indian students are still choosing to study in the US, with 331,602 students admitted to American institutions during the 2023-2024 school year. India remains the top country of origin for international students in the US.
