The recent decision by the U.S. government to suspend new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants has sparked concern among aspiring international students. The move comes as the U.S. State Department prepares to expand social media vetting of foreign students, raising questions about privacy and fairness.
Romil Udayakumar TNV, a student from Kerala State in India, had dreams of pursuing higher education in the United States. Now, he feels those aspirations are slipping away. “It’s unfair to students like me who have worked hard to get to this point,” Romil said. “We want to study in the U.S. because of the quality of education, but this makes it much more difficult.”
With the U.S. tightening its visa policies, Romil is considering other countries that offer quality education. “There are many other nations with excellent universities that are welcoming to international students,” he noted. “If the U.S. doesn’t want us, we will take our talents elsewhere.”
The expansion of social media vetting is also a point of contention. International students are concerned that increased scrutiny may invade their privacy and create additional hurdles. “Checking our social media goes too far,” Romil expressed. “We shouldn’t have to give up our privacy to get an education.”
This development has left many prospective students questioning the U.S. as a destination for higher education. As other countries strive to attract international talent, the U.S. risks losing its position as a premier choice for students worldwide.
