LinkedIn co-founder slams Trump administration for stopping student visa interviews: Completely forgotten how…
co-founder
Reid Hoffman
recently criticized the
Trump administration
's recent move to temporarily suspend all interviews for student visas, calling it a step backward for America's long-standing tradition of attracting global talent. Responding to the policy shift, Hoffman said,
'Unfortunately, the truth. Other countries are moving to fill the gap and acquire top talent. We've completely forgotten how America prospered.'
Hoffman quoted an X post that read:
'Blowing a $50 billion hole in the budget of every state flagship and top private university in America. Gunshot wound to the head of the best education system in the world and the crown jewel of American soft power. Absolute madness.'
Hoffman's remarks highlight growing frustration among Silicon Valley leaders who say restricting educational access undermines America's ability to compete globally. Many point to countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia, which are streamlining student immigration policies to attract talent that might otherwise have chosen the U.S.
US halts student visa interviews
Earlier this week, the Trump administration said it has stopped scheduling new
student visa interviews
at embassies across the embassies. The order was issued by a diplomatic cable sent by
US Secretary Marco Rubio
.
'Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued,' Rubio wrote
The Trump administration has defended the decision as part of a broader effort to reassess
visa processing
and prioritize national interest, but critics argue the suspension sends a chilling message to the world's best and brightest.
While the administration has not clarified how long the hold on interviews will last, universities and businesses are bracing for potential fallout in upcoming academic cycles.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) | 10 Features You Need to Know
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trade pact: Jakarta's $34 billion play to secure tariff deal with US
The US and Indonesia will sign trade and investment pacts worth $34 billion as part of Jakarta's efforts to secure a tariff deal ahead of a July 9 deadline. Indonesia plans to invest in the US and purchase American agricultural goods and $15.5 billion of energy products under a memorandum of understanding to be signed on July 7, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday. While the MoU is part of Indonesia's negotiations to secure lower US tariffs , it doesn't represent a final agreement, Hartarto said. "We have to see later the final announcement by our US counterparts," he added when asked about a tariff rate deal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo The planned MoU involves Danantara, a new sovereign wealth fund under President Prabowo Subianto that manages Indonesia's state-owned enterprises, and private entities including flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia , instant noodle maker Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur and a local feed mills association, he said. Hartarto, who is leading Indonesia's efforts to reduce Washington's planned 32% tariffs on Indonesian imports, said Southeast Asia's largest economy aims to secure more favorable terms than neighboring Vietnam. Hanoi, which had a $123.5 billion trade surplus with the US last year, struck a deal late Wednesday for a tariff rate of 20%, down from a proposed 46%. Live Events Southeast Asian nations, among the hardest hit by US President Donald Trump's planned tariffs, have been racing to seal trade deals with Washington before the July 9 cutoff to avoid increased rates. Indonesia has already eased or eliminated some import restrictions as part of a bid to shrink its $18 billion trade surplus with the US. Jakarta has also pledged to remove non-tariff barriers and boost imports of US products, potentially including oil, liquefied petroleum gas and soybeans. Hartarto also said the US has no concerns about transshipment involving Indonesia and hadn't broached the topic in trade discussions, unlike in Vietnam.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
India's ‘Trump Card' on trade deal? How India can handle US pressure and seal agreement
As the US and India look to seal a trade deal ahead of Donald Trump's self-imposed July 9 deadline, India seems to be resisting American pressure - joining a select group of countries refusing to budge to tactics of the world's largest economy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While smaller economies like Vietnam have capitulated by slashing tariffs and opening markets, India can use its growing energy imports as a strategic bargaining chip, and refuse to budge on sensitive issues like agriculture, believes Swaminathan Aiyar, Consulting Editor at ET Now. India's 'Trump Card': Energy imports According to Aiyar, India is in a far better negotiating position than most. 'I really think we should be tough and hold out. Our strength is that because we are short of oil and gas, we can be among the very few countries that are going to shrink their trade deficit with the USA,' Aiyar said, according to an ET report quoting the TV channel. India's oil imports from the US jumped to 439,000 barrels per day in June, up from 280,000 bpd the month before. That's exactly the kind of stat Trump loves, evidence that a trading partner is helping reduce the US trade deficit. Also read: Aiyar added, 'Other countries will find it very difficult because I do not think they are in a position to massively increase imports of energy.' Agri and dairy: Red lines for India But if Trump expects a wide-ranging trade deal, India's agricultural sector is where things hit a wall. Aiyar warned that any move to open India's markets to genetically modified (GM) crops, such as GM soy, maize, and wheat, which dominate US agriculture, would trigger domestic and international consequences. 'If we allow this in, then we will not be allowed to export to Europe because Europe won't take genetically modified crops,' Aiyar was quoted as saying. The issue is politically sensitive, especially after months of nationwide farmer protests. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Any move to allow GM food imports could spark widespread backlash. So while Trump's farm lobby is pushing hard, India is unlikely to grant access. Also read: Vietnam's deal: More optics than economics Trump recently announced a deal with Vietnam, claiming zero-duty access and market entry. But Aiyar dismissed this as 'largely theatrical.' Vietnam, he said, imports very little from the US to begin with, so zero tariffs don't amount to much. 'The plain and simple fact is that they import very little from the USA… If they say import duty on cars comes down to zero, how many American companies are going to be competitive compared with the Japanese, Koreans, or Europeans?' Aiyar asked. Vietnam was already willing to offer zero tariffs on certain goods, and Trump's deal is more about symbolism than substance. Japan and EU are holding firm too India is not alone in resisting Washington's aggressive trade agenda. Both Japan and the European Union have rejected what they see as unfair, one-sided demands from the Trump administration. 'They are saying they are going to continue and have very serious problems with US proposals. We are not going to keel under,' Aiyar said. 'That sends a message to India and others, don't cave in.' With the July 9 deadline looming, Aiyar believes Trump is more focused on the headlines than the fine print. 'Even where there are partial agreements, as may be the case with India, he will play that up. He's a performer. A stage actor,' he said.
Economic Times
44 minutes ago
- Economic Times
The Quad is in good health
Agencies The leaders of Quad Quad foreign ministers signed on to an expansive criticism of 'unilateral actions' covering political, economic and strategic spheres — without naming the unilateral 'actor', China. The meeting was an affirmation that Quad is in good health. Quad ministers also announced a new initiative on critical minerals to reduce dependency on China. The idea is to diversify and create new supply chains, and 40 private companies from Quad countries were here to discuss ideas. Plans are also afoot for a leaders' summit later this year. And, yes, the Americans have committed in writing that Donald Trump will travel. The dates will be decided later as the Indian side works to design a summit to suit the times. Going by the Trump rule —what can't be said in one page is not worth saying — long speeches won't be ideal. All said and done, Quad is moving along despite doubts from certain quarters and a general suspicion of 'groups' among Trump supporters. The US system seems to see value in the Quad, even if the president appears indifferent. S Jaishankar also met top US officials, including defence secretary Pete Hegseth, FBI director Kash Patel, director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, besides his counterpart Marco Rubio. The visit was India's first political engagement with the US since Operation Sindoor. Jaishankar insisted the matter of Trump's repeated claims of mediation did not come up. What did come up was Quad members — who maintained neutrality when India launched Op Sindoor — 'unequivocally' condemning all acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism —without naming Pakistan. The language was mostly a repeat from older statements, but updated with the location of the latest atrocity, Pahalgam. After the shock of the SCO statement where Pahalgam wasn't mentioned at all — but Balochistan was —and Rajnath Singh refused to sign, the Quad joint statement was an improvement with all boxes checked. The ministers have pared down the group's agenda to four main pillars: maritime and transnational security, economic security, critical and emerging technology, and humanitarian assistance. Will the 'common minimum programme' encourage Trump to remember the Quad? Frankly, Trump is too busy making deals with China after threatening massive tariffs and then backing down when the shoe started pinching, after China restricted supplies of critical minerals. Now it seems Trump wants to visit China with a large business delegation.'America First' means jobs at home, and if China can create them, he doesn't mind. For Trump, tech denial is a temporary tool, not astrategy that when combined with unpredictability can be lethal. What do these confusing signals mean for the Quad? Remember, it was created, revived and propagated to balance/counter China. Meanwhile, even as the July 4 'deadline' for firming up the IndiaUS trade deal is upon us — not to mention the expiry date for the 90-day Trump tariffs on July 9 — Trump has given the green signal to senator Lindsey Graham to move his bill in Congress that threatens 500% tariffs on countries trading with Russia. Graham wants to drop this 'economic bunker buster' on India and China, since they are the largest buyers of Russian oil. Whether the bill would pass is unclear. Diplomatic efforts are underway to persuade the senator to give India a carveout to keep the Big, Beautiful US-India strategic partnership going. And Quad too. Incidentally, all three other Quad members are simultaneously experiencing problems with the US. But they have decided to keep calm and carry on. Japan and Australia are upset after Pentagon abruptly demanded they up their defence spending to 3.5% after initially asking for 3%. As for India, no need to repeat the amount of political difficulty caused by the 'peace president'. As Jaishankar says, 'The world is complicated and is growing in its complexity.' In fact, it's grown so complicated that on Tuesday when Rajnath Singh spoke to his counterpart Pete Hegseth on the phone and Jaishankar met him in person at the Pentagon, Pakistan's air force chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu was also in the building to meet USAF chief of staff David Allvin, and other senior officials. Sidhu discussed how to 'boost interoperability', do joint exercises, and training and 'technology exchange'. He also went to the State Department. The army and air force chiefs coming in quick succession means Washington wants Pakistan back in the game. What's past is prologue, as the Bard of Avon said. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Can this cola maker get back bubble valuation pricked by Ambani? Darkness at noon: Can this reform succeed after failing four times? Zepto has slowed, and Aadit Palicha needs more than a big fund raise to fix it Why Sebi must give up veto power over market infra institutions Stock Radar: SBI stock breaks out from Symmetrical Triangle pattern; what should investors do with this Sensex stock? These mid-cap stocks with 'Strong Buy' & 'Buy' recos can rally over 25%, according to analysts Multibagger or IBC - Part 13: This auto ancillary helps power Chandrayaan-3 and makes the 'glue' that holds cars together Buy, sell or hold: Antique maintains a hold on JSW Steel; Nuvama sees over 15% upside in Apollo Hospitals
