Trump Vs Harris: Which US political party in power will benefit Indian students?

In recent years, the demand for student visas or F visas in India has consistently outstripped available slots. In 2023, the US Embassy and consulates in India processed a record 1.4 million visas, including over 1,40,000 F1 student visas.

With just over a week left for polling to begin to determine who the next President of the US will be, Indian students are hoping the incoming government will enable favourable immigration policies. However, much confusion remains as to which presidential candidate and party will prove better suited to the hopes of Indian students wishing to undertake higher education in that country.

There has been a rapid increase in the number of Indian students pursuing education abroad, aided by various scholarships on offer. According to the latest government figures, more than 13 lakh students were studying outside India in 2024. Canada hosted the highest number of students, followed by the US, UK and Australia.

While not all students seek permanet residency outside India, a substantial number eye jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields before planning their citizenship.

The presidential elections in the US will take place on November 5. With heightened rhetoric against ‘outsiders’ stealing jobs, the future of immigration policies has been one of the significant topics in the 2024 elections.

Even so, former US President and Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump in June softened his stance on immigration by promising automatic green cards to foreign students graduating from colleges in the US, aiming to prevent them from returning to their home countries like India and China where they often “become multibillionaires”.

Meanwhile, Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris supports an “earned pathway to citizenship”. Overseas education consultants and experts say the impact of any candidate depends on his or purpose of going to the US.

Also read | ‘Canada dream’ no more? Indian students, parents forced to reassess study abroad plan

“The vast majority of Indian students and professionals who aspire to relocate to the US represents high-skilled labour and economy-impacting skill sets, be it in STEM fields or business or the performing arts,  which holds great appeal to the kind of transactional approach than the Republicans and the Trump campaign tend to take in terms of legislation and policymaking,” Vinu Warrier, managing partner and founder of eduVelocity, told Moneycontrol.

“If the question is, will skilled immigrant labour help Make America Great Again, the answer for both Democrats and Republicans would be a resounding yes,” he added.

India sent more than 3 lakh students to the US in the academic year 2023-24 as colleges there benefit from less favourable immigration policies in other countries, Vivek Mansukhani, head of the Institute of International Education (IIE) India, had told Moneycontrol in an earlier interview.

India has surpassed China in international student enrolment in the Open Doors Report, which is slated to be released in November.  The report, backed by the US Department of State, maps students in the US hailing from other countries as well as US citizens studying abroad.

Also read | Number of Indian students in US to exceed 3 lakh: IIE

“Trump from the Republican Party initially proposed a bold policy that would have granted F-1 visa holders green cards, allowing them to bypass the restrictions of Optional Practical Training (OPT). However, the Trump campaign has since retracted this proposal, raising doubts about the party's long-term commitment to supporting international students… The focus on securing borders and reclaiming national sovereignty marks a return to Trump’s previous harsh immigration policies, which prioritised mass deportations and severely restricted pathways for immigrants, including students,” said Ankit Mehra, CEO and co-founder of GyanDhan.

An F-1 visa is the normal permit given to international students in the US.

On the other hand, Mehra said Harris may push for the continuation and expansion of OPT programmes, giving international students more opportunities to gain post-graduation work experience.

To be sure, OPT allows for temporary employment directly related to an international student’s major area of study.

May not see major changes

In recent years, the demand for student or F visas in India has consistently outstripped available slots. In 2023, the US embassy and consulates in India processed a record 14 lakh visas, including over 1.4 lakh F-1 student visas.

This surge in demand has led to frustration among students attempting to secure visa appointments despite decreasing wait times from an average of 1,000 days to 250 days nationwide in 2023. Despite this major challenge, students and experts say the US remains the most popular destination for overseas education and will remain so.

Also read | F-1 visa crunch: Indian students face delays, uncertainties in US admissions

The feeling has been mutual. US universities and administration have been at the forefront in attracting Indian students, more so in the light of other major destinations such as the UK, Canada and Australia restricting immigration.

For instance, in March 2024, a delegation of 17 US universities was on a seven-day visit to India to strengthen India-US collaboration and student and scholar mobility between the two countries.

“Ultimately, the benefits of international education go beyond political lines. No matter who is in power, both sides understand that international students play a big role in the US economy and cultural diversity,” said Sonal Kapoor, global chief commercial officer of Prodigy Finance, adding that regardless of the party in power, they would likely consider how to retain and support skilled workers.

Similarly, Saurabh Arora, founder and CEO of University Living, said both Trump and Harris have distinct approaches that can be seen as favourable for Indian students and professionals, depending on their priorities.

“Trump’s emphasis on strengthening US-India ties and his pro-business policies aimed at reducing corporate taxes can create a vibrant job market, indirectly benefiting skilled professionals. The Harris administration’s focus on expanding work visa programmes and international cooperation offers a more inclusive environment for Indian students and professionals,” he added.