America Election Result 2024: What’s At Stake For International Students In US?

The US election on November 5 is a critical moment not only for Americans but also for international students whose future plans could be shaped by the results. Although neither Donald Trump nor Kamala Harris directly addresses international students in their campaigns, both candidates discuss immigration policies that could affect students from abroad.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B Visas

A key benefit for international students in the US is the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows them to gain work experience after graduation. OPT is often a stepping stone toward securing an H-1B visa, a longer-term work permit. However, changes to immigration or visa policies could affect these pathways.

Currently, H-1B visas are capped at 65,000 annually, with an extra 20,000 allocated for advanced degree holders. For 2024, around 781,000 applicants vied for H-1B visas, underscoring the high demand. While Harris favors expanding skilled-worker visas, Trump's stance may lead to stricter immigration rules, focusing on unskilled workers but potentially impacting all visa categories.

Trump's Immigration Policies

Trump's 2024 campaign focuses on securing borders and reducing immigration, which could influence international student policies. While his stance may sound restrictive, he recently suggested offering green cards to international students graduating from US institutions to retain talent. Additionally, his emphasis on reducing "globalism" and his firm stance on China may impact the flow of Chinese students to the US. Chinese students currently make up over a quarter of the international student body in the US.

In his previous term, Trump implemented a "Travel Ban" affecting mainly Muslim-majority countries in West Asia. His current campaign suggests expanding this ban but lacks specific details on which countries or visas would be affected.

Harris's Immigration Approach

The Biden-Harris administration has worked to expand legal immigration, including a failed bipartisan deal aimed at increasing employment-based visas. Harris has advocated for more legal immigration and a pathway to citizenship, though she has shared few details about additional plans for student visas or international student support.

Recent pro-Gaza protests on US campuses have also influenced campaign rhetoric. Trump and other Republicans propose revoking visas for international students involved in anti-American or anti-Semitic protests. Harris, in contrast, acknowledged the human sentiment behind the protests without fully aligning with all their messages.

The American Council on Education, representing over 1,600 colleges and universities, has urged both candidates to back policies that support international students. Their statement highlights the significant contributions these students make to US campuses, innovation, and economic growth.