Great news has come for India from America. After 15 years, India has secured the top spot as the leading source of international students in the US for the 2023-24 academic year, surpassing China. India experienced a 23% year-on-year growth, sending more than 3.3 lakh students to the US, according to the International Education Exchange Open Doors 2024 report released on Monday. India’s success in the US mirrors its achievements in the UK.
In the 2022-23 academic year, India became the top source of non-EU students in the EU, surpassing China with a 39% increase, totalling 1.7 million students. However, recent decisions by President Donald Trump may present challenges for Indians in America.
In 2023, the US earned $50 billion from international students, with Indians contributing 20% of that total. The majority of Indian students (64.5%) attend government institutions, while 35.5% are enrolled in private universities. According to the Economic Impact of International Students 2023 report, Indian students significantly contributed to the US economy, adding $11.8 billion in 2023.
This report is important to Trump, as his focus has been to curb illegal immigration. He emphasized this goal in his victory speech. As part of his strategy, Trump selects officers who can implement these plans effectively. Experts predict that Trump’s policies will impact work visas for Indian immigrants living in the US.
The increase in Indian students could influence Trump’s stance on immigration, particularly in two areas. First, many Indians from Gujarat and Punjab have entered the US illegally, often through Mexico and Canada. Homan has indicated that this trend could continue. Second, with Trump’s recent appointment of Stephen Miller as his deputy chief for policy, a crackdown on both illegal and legal immigration appears imminent.
Miller enforced similar aggressive policies during Trump’s previous term, causing challenges for many Indian families in the US. Experts believe that, in response to the growing number of Indian students, Trump may tighten immigration policies even further.