Trump's Immigration Crackdown Drives Indian Students To Abandon Part-Time Jobs In US. Here's Why

Indian students pursuing higher education in the United States are quitting part-time jobs taken after college hours to earn extra money, driven by fears of deportation.

According to a report by The Times of India, students acknowledge the importance of such jobs for survival in the US but are unwilling to jeopardise their future, particularly as many have taken substantial loans to secure admission to American universities.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

This trend comes ahead of President Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, with the new administration signalling stricter immigration policies and tighter enforcement measures.

International students on F-1 visas are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week on-campus. However, many students take off-campus jobs in restaurants, petrol stations, retail stores, and similar establishments to meet essential expenses. Now, they are abandoning such jobs to protect their futures.

"I used to work in a small café after my college hours to cover my monthly expenses. I earned $7 per hour and worked six hours every day. Though it was a comfortable arrangement, I quit last week after hearing that immigration authorities might crack down on unauthorised work. I can't take any chances, especially after borrowing $50,000 (approximately ₹42.5 lakh) to study here," said Arjun, a graduate student in Illinois.

Neha, a Master's student in New York, expressed similar concerns. "We've heard talk about random checks at workplaces. So, my friends and I have decided to stop working for now. It's hard, but we don't want to risk deportation or losing our student visa status. My parents have already sacrificed too much to send me here," she said.

Students have indicated they will reassess the situation before considering whether to resume part-time work. Until then, they plan to rely on savings or financial support from friends and family in India. However, this is not a sustainable solution.

"I have already used up most of my savings and have started borrowing small amounts from my roommate. I don't know how long I can go on like this," said Rohan, adding that he feels guilty asking his parents for financial help but may soon have no choice.

This situation has also raised mental health concerns, with students feeling overwhelmed by the financial and emotional stress.

Meanwhile, India has agreed to accept undocumented Indian nationals from the US, following policies that may lead to the deportation of thousands.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed this amidst ongoing immigration discussions, saying, "I caution you about [the numbers] because for us, a number is operative when we can actually validate the fact that the individual concerned is of Indian origin."