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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Education associations file amended lawsuits as international students continue to face ‘unlawful' SEVIS termination
This is an AI-generated image, used for represntational purposes only. The 'unlawful' practices of terminating SEVIS records of international students based on visa revocations and alleged criminal histories continue, even as many records have been reactivated following lawsuits and favourable injunctions by district courts. In this backdrop, the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a coalition of over 570 campus leaders, together with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), has filed an amended lawsuit-complaint in the district court. It updates the original lawsuit-complaint submitted on April 24. These associations are challenging the unlawful mass termination of SEVIS records for F-1 students and participants in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The lawsuit-complaint states that the US Department of State (DOS) has also misled affected students, and continues to do so, by sending emails falsely claiming they must leave the US immediately, even though visa status governs entry, and is inapplicable to whether an already-admitted student may remain in the country. DHS has since formalised a policy allowing SEVIS record terminations based on visa revocations, continuing this unlawful practice, it adds. Through this amended complaint, the associations are primarily asking the court to do three things: Hold unlawful and set aside the policy under which the mass visa revocations were carried out, and enjoin the government from using this practice again; Order the government to stop sending false and coercive emails to international students; and Hold unlawful and set aside the policy that purports to permit the termination of SEVIS records based solely on visa revocation. Miriam Feldblum, President and CEO of the Presidents' Alliance, stated, 'We are asking the court to prevent the government from engaging in similar actions in the future and to hold the agencies accountable for these unprecedented and damaging practices. The actions of the government have created chaos and fear. Even students whose SEVIS records have been reinstated continue to face uncertainty, unanswered questions about their education and career prospects, and ongoing vulnerability under the new policy. ' ' Colleges and universities have faced academic disruption, administrative burdens, and reputational harm, all of which compromise their ability to support international students. This instability jeopardises global talent recruitment, threatens academic freedom, and places undue strain on campus systems. Through this amended complaint, higher education is standing together to defend the rights and contributions of international students and scholars, whose presence, innovation, and ideas strengthen our communities and grow our economy,' she added. Rob McCarron, President and CEO of AICUM, stated: 'Our overarching goal for this litigation is to ensure due process, and that any changes to the SEVIS program be done in full compliance with statutory and regulatory procedures. More than 80,000 international students travel to Massachusetts to pursue a higher education, adding vibrancy and innovation to our campuses and often founding startups in Massachusetts. Providing due process, proper notice, stability and clarity – to students and the institutions that serve them – is critical so that everyone fully understands what needs to be done to enroll in a college or university in Massachusetts.' A joint release points out the significant role played by international students. In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, international students contributed approximately $44 billion to the US economy and supported more than 3,78,000 jobs. Yet policies like the one challenged in this lawsuit threaten to undermine our ability to attract and retain top global talent, harming not only individual students and campuses but also long-term economic strength, innovation capacity, and national security. Through this legal action, the higher education community reaffirms its commitment to international students and scholars.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Big 4, big bills, diminishing returns: Why Indian students are pulling back on the study abroad dream
The gleam of ivory towers and the allure of boarding a flight to a foreign land once symbolised more than just academic prestige; they enshrined a long-nurtured utopia of success, stability, and a better life. However, the glitter is rapidly tarnishing. The once cherished dream is now crumbling under the weight of apprehensions. The "Big 4" the US, UK, Canada, and Australia have long upheld the bastions of academic excellence. Today, the reputation is getting dimmed. The narrative of unquestioned promise is paving the path for hard realisation. Indian students are not chasing the study abroad dream blindly. They are weighing it with calculators in hand. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, the number of Indian students heading abroad dropped by 15% between 2023 and early 2024, from 893,000 to 759,000. The reason behind this drop is not linked to a lack of ambition, but is met with harsh realities: Surging tuition fees, restrictive immigration regimes, and the sobering decline of post-study returns. Fortress nations: How the Big 4 are locking students out One by one, the Big 4 countries have pulled up their drawbridges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Passo Fundo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo Canada, in 2024, introduced a cap on student permits and hiked financial requirements to CAD 20,635. Australia doubled its visa fees and demanded higher proof of funds. The UK not only banned most dependents from accompanying international students but also raised the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas to £38,700. In the US, F-1 visa issuances fell by 38% year-on-year, according to the US Department of State, while Optional Practical Training (OPT) remained under political siege. The message is etched in black and white: These nations want Indian tuition dollars, but not the students who bring them. This two-faced approach has not gone unnoticed. Degrees without destinations: The global job market collapse The job markets in these countries have cratered, especially for fresh international graduates. According to Indeed, graduate job postings in the UK dropped by 33% in the 12 months leading up to June 2024. The Institute of Student Employers noted that each entry-level job received an average of 140 applications in 2024, a sharp rise from 86 in 2023. Artificial Intelligence, economic retrenchments are rooting out entry-level jobs. The accounting sector witnessed a 44% drop in junior openings. Human resources has seen a 62% decline. Firms like PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY are relying more on automation, gutting the very roles Indian students traditionally filled after graduation. From lecture halls to gig work: The unspoken reality The glossy brochures often portray innovation labs and job-ready programmes, but the lived reality for numerous students is grinding gig work, mounting debt, and mental exhaustion. The promise of gobal exposure has morphed into long hours in kitchens, warehouses, and convenience stores just to make the rent. The economic hardship bleeds into physical and psychological health. Burnout, anxiety, and a sense of betrayal are common among those who invested lakhs, even crores, into foreign degrees only to return empty-handed. Exit the West: A strategic pivot to sanity Indian students are now shifting their focus after facing these compounding challenges. Germany witnessed a 68% surge in Indian enrollments in 2024, according to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), thanks to affordable education, clear post-study pathways, and residency clarity. France, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UAE are also emerging as feasible alternative study abroad destinations. Indian students are not completely shrugging off the study abroad dream. They are recalculating. Students now prefer certainty over prestige, affordability over branding, and sustainability over fantasy. Beyond the brochures: Strategy over sentiment The rules of the game have changed. Reputation no longer guarantees outcome. Indian students are no longer swept away by ivy-covered campuses and glossy rankings. They're asking harder questions: Will this degree pay off? Will I be allowed to stay? Will I find a job that lets me build a life? In 2025, international education is no longer a rite of passage. It is a high-stakes financial decision. One that must be taken with calculators, not dreams. The script of the study abroad has completely altered. Shining degrees from Ivies no longer guarantee success. Indian students are no longer pulled by the reputation and glittery courses offered by Ivy-covered campuses with glossy international rankings. They are asking tougher questions: Will this degree pay off? Will I find a job that lets me build a life? The new intelligence: Know the numbers or pay the price Students are no longer just aiming high, but weighing practicality. Success is being redefined: Not by crossing borders, but by reading between the lines of visa rules, post-study rights, and job prospects. The foreign degree hasn't met its end; it is still breathing in the hearts of the students. But the blind chase has gone, the glitter has faded. What prevails is a stark question: One where those who fail to do the math end up paying the price for years to come. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? 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Business Standard
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Amazon, Google, Tesla among top 25 OPT hirers in US; Indians lead STEM list
More international students in the US were hired through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme in 2024 than ever before — and Amazon, Google and Microsoft emerged as the top recruiters, according to the latest Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) data released by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Under OPT, foreign students on an F-1 visa are allowed to work in the US in a role related to their field of study, either during their course or after graduation. Those with degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) can also apply for a two-year STEM OPT extension. More foreign students worked in 2024 According to DHS, 194,554 foreign students received OPT work authorisation in 2024, up from 160,627 in 2023 — a 21.1% increase and the fourth consecutive year of growth. An additional 95,384 students were approved for STEM OPT extensions, reflecting a 54% rise from the previous year. Meanwhile, 130,586 students worked under Curricular Practical Training (CPT), representing a slight decline of 0.4%. The total number of unique foreign students who received practical training approval (after removing duplicates for those who received more than one authorisation) was 381,140. Most students who took part in STEM OPT in 2024 were from India and China. Of the 165,524 students approved: 48.0% were from India 20.4% were from China California continued to host the largest share of international students, with 14.6% of all active SEVIS records — 237,763 in total. Top 25 employers for foreign students under OPT in 2024 (pre- and post-completion) Amazon – 5,379 University of California – 2,112 Arizona State University – 1,895 University of Texas – 1,305 Bright Mind Enrichment and Schooling – 1,234 Tesla – 1,170 Goldman Sachs – 1,148 Apple – 1,135 Google – 1,110 Meta – 1,081 Microsoft – 1,066 ByteDance – 1,045 Deloitte – 1,033 Walmart – 951 Intel – 946 State University of New York – 906 Ernst & Young – 889 Johns Hopkins – 827 Harvard – 799 Community Dreams Foundation – 795 University of Michigan – 767 University of Southern California – 717 University of Illinois – 714 McKinsey & Company – 680 JP Morgan Chase – 675 Top 25 employers for foreign students under STEM OPT in 2024 Amazon – 6,679 Google – 1,778 Microsoft – 1,496 Meta – 1,302 University of California – 1,302 Walmart – 1,140 Intel – 1,023 Apple – 973 Goldman Sachs – 962 Tesla – 901 JP Morgan Chase – 887 Ernst & Young – 854 Deloitte – 833 McKinsey & Company – 810 ByteDance – 642 Tata Consultancy Services – 639 Stanford University – 541 University of Texas – 536 Citigroup – 517 Bloomberg – 456 Qualcomm – 455 Oracle – 445 Boston Consulting Group – 412 NVIDIA – 410 Cummins – 410 Top 25 employers for foreign students under CPT in 2024 Amazon – 3,205 Tesla – 1,118 Lindsey Wilson College – 1,028 Google – 880 Microsoft – 819 NVIDIA – 743 Meta – 657 Deloitte – 614 Apple – 600 Intel – 512 JP Morgan Chase – 400 Goldman Sachs – 386 Walmart – 344 ByteDance – 337 Adobe Inc – 332 Advanced Micro Devices – 319 Cummins – 308 Ernst & Young – 299 World Bank – 292 CVS – 276 Qualcomm – 270 University of Texas – 267 Morgan Stanley – 267 Tata Consultancy Services – 266 Boston Consulting Group – 181 OPT used to access long-term US jobs According to Varun Singh, managing director at XIPHIAS Immigration, the continued surge in OPT and STEM OPT reflects how international students are using the route to access longer-term job opportunities in the US. 'The growing demand for skilled talent in sectors like technology, engineering and healthcare has created an environment where Indian students are increasingly seen as a strong workforce,' he told Business Standard. Singh added that the STEM OPT extension gives Indian graduates more time to build networks and secure employment. 'Despite the competitive H-1B process and shifting visa rules, the OPT route remains a critical bridge for many students aiming to build careers in the US,' Singh said.
The Wire
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Post-Degree Jobs Won't be Available Any More in the US, But It is Still the Best Option
Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute Now India sends students to the US in record numbers, but this academic year, applicants are feeling anxious before they head out. The changing policies of the Trump administration is likely to cause delays and tougher immigration questioning, among other things. Moreover, it is likely that the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows F-1 visa holding students to work for a year or more, will be modified if not terminated. That was one of the great attractions for foreign students in the US. So is it still worth going to the US to study? 'Absolutely' says Viral Doshi, who has advised Indian students heading to the US for the last 20 years. 'No other country can match up to the US,' he says, in sheer number of colleges, in the kinds of courses it offers and in the experiences one can have. He acknowledges that parents have anxieties but 'I tell them, have patience,', he says in a podcast discussion with Sidharth Bhatia. 'Almost 50 percent students have already got visas and others will too, maybe a few weeks late for the first semester.' He says universities depend foreign students and are saying they will allow students to come late.' 'America is not the same as it was some years ago. Things have changed. 'No more internships and no more jobs or work experience'. And most important, he adds, 'Avoid political activism.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Migrating to US too big of a gamble now, rue students
Hyderabad: The 'Great American Dream' seems to be on the wane among students from the Telugu states aspiring to migrate to the United States for higher education. Worried by a sudden freeze on US visa slots, confusion around the Optional Practical Training (OPT) policy and abrupt revocations of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) IDs, hundreds of prospective applicants from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have dropped their US plans — ahead of the popular Fall season. Consultants in Hyderabad that TOI spoke to peg this decline at a significant 60% to 70%. Some even claim that dozens of students have either withdrawn their applications or put them on hold in the last 10 days alone. The Fall intake — stretching from Aug to Sept — typically accounts for nearly 60% of the yearly student traffic from these two southern states to the US, especially in STEM disciplines. In 2024, India sent that largest cohort of students (3.3 lakh approx) to the US, according to the Open Doors Report, and students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh form the majority with 13%, as per Indian Student Mobility Report by the Univeristy Living. Worst crash ever "The demand has just crashed," said Arvind Manduva, founder of I20Fever Consultancy that has multiple branches across Telangana. "In June alone, we used to process as many as 2,000 applications. This year, we barely touched 400. Normally by now, our teams are neck-deep in last-mile visa documentation. But 2025 is unlike anything we've seen before. Uncertainty has paralysed students, If they do not release visa slots within next two weeks, the ones who are still keen on flying to the US will lose out on this intake," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Consultants said that even students with I-20 forms (which certifies students' admission to a study program and verifies their ability to financially support themselves) are backing out owing to uncertainty over visa. "Those who booked slots in April are the only ones with a clear path forward. Everyone else is stuck in limbo. The rate of withdrawals is at an all-time high," said Rajni Mankotia of Way2 Abroad Consultancy. OPT bill confusion Adding to the chaos is the proposed bill that could ban or significantly restrict OPT, a key post-study work benefit that many Indian students rely on to repay their educational loans. "Everyone I speak to is advising against going to the US right now. And if OPT goes away, how will we pay back our loans? It's too big a gamble. I'll try again next time," said a 26-year-old woman from Hyderabad who recently withdrew her application from a supply chain management course. Consultants said that only a small group of high-performing students are still pursuing their US dream. "These are students who applied to top-tier universities and are academically strong. They're taking the risk — but they are the exception, not the rule," said Ankit Jain of One Window Overseas Education Consultancy. Sources in the US consulate, meanwhile, said they too are awaiting an official update from Washington DC on the visa issue. "Only after that can we inform students about the next steps," said a source. Alternate destinations In the wake of the US conundrum, local students are turning to alternate destinations — Europe being the most preferred academic hotspot. "The ones withdrawing from US universities are applying to Germany, France, and Luxembourg in large numbers," said Sanjeev Rai from Hyderabad Overseas Consultant. Shubh Sathe, a 28-year-old tech professional from Hyderabad, is among them. "The tuition fee is more affordable, the competition is less, and the visa process is more predictable. I'm seriously exploring these destinations for post-study work opportunities and long-term prospects," he said.
