Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news “Trump’s Initial Plan to Welcome Foreign Students Clashes with Current Challenges They Face”
  • Local news

“Trump’s Initial Plan to Welcome Foreign Students Clashes with Current Challenges They Face”

    Trump once floated a plan to attract more foreign students. Now they feel targeted on all fronts
    Up next
    Teddi Mellencamp CONFIRMS new romance amid cancer battle
    Teddi Mellencamp Reveals New Relationship While Battling Cancer
    Published on 04 June 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • ALL,
    • attract,
    • Brigham Young University-Idaho,
    • Donald Trump,
    • Education,
    • Elections,
    • feel,
    • floated,
    • foreign,
    • fronts,
    • more,
    • Now,
    • once,
    • plan,
    • Politics,
    • students,
    • targeted,
    • they,
    • Trump,
    • U.S. news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    As a part of his campaign to lure top international talent to the United States, President Donald Trump suggested an intriguing proposal: granting green cards to all foreign students who earn degrees from American universities, should he be elected.

    “It’s disheartening to see talented individuals leave from prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT,” Trump mentioned in a podcast interview last June. “This will be stopped immediately on my first day.”

    However, this pledge was never fulfilled. Trump’s approach towards international students has notably changed. They now find themselves entangled in an intensified initiative to either expel them or deter them from enrolling, as his administration aligns stricter immigration policies with efforts to overhaul higher education.

    An avalanche of policies from the Trump administration — such as terminating students’ ability to study in the U.S., halting all new student visa interviews, moving to block foreign enrollment at Harvard — have triggered lawsuits, countersuits and confusion for international students who say they feel targeted on multiple fronts.

    In interviews, students from around the world described how it feels to be an international student today in America. Their accounts highlight pervasive feelings of fear, anxiety and insecurity that have made them more cautious in their daily lives, distracted them from schoolwork and prompted many to cancel trips home because they fear not being allowed to return.

    For many, the last few months have forced them to rethink their dreams of building a life in America.

    A standout student from Latvia feels ‘expendable’

    Markuss Saule, a freshman at Brigham Young University-Idaho, took a recent trip home to Latvia and spent the entire flight back to the U.S. in a state of panic.

    For hours, he scrubbed his phone, uninstalling all social media, deleting anything that touched on politics or could be construed as anti-Trump.

    “That whole 10-hour flight, where I was debating, ‘Will they let me in?’ — it definitely killed me a little bit,” said Saule, a business analytics major. “It was terrifying.”

    Saule is the type of international student the U.S. has coveted. As a high schooler in Latvia, he qualified for a competitive, merit-based exchange program funded by the U.S. State Department. He spent a year of high school in Minnesota, falling in love with America and a classmate who is now his fiancee. He just ended his freshman year in college with a 4.0 GPA.

    But the alarm he felt on that flight crushed what was left of his American dream.

    “If you had asked me at the end of 2024 what my plans were, it was to get married, find a great job here in the U.S. and start a family,” said Saule, who hopes to work as a business data analyst. “Those plans are not applicable anymore. Ask me now, and the plan to leave this place as soon as possible.”

    Saule and his fiancee plan to marry this summer, graduate a year early and move to Europe.

    This spring the Trump administration abruptly revoked permission to study in the U.S. for thousands of international students before reversing itself. A federal judge has blocked further status terminations, but for many, the damage is done. Saule has a constant fear he could be next.

    As a student in Minnesota just three years ago, he felt like a proud ambassador for his country.

    “Now I feel a sense of inferiority. I feel that I am expendable, that I am purely an appendage that is maybe getting cut off soon,” he said. Trump’s policies carry a clear subtext. “The policies, what they tell me is simple. It is one word: Leave.”

    From dreaming of working at NASA to ‘doomscrolling’ job listings in India

    A concern for attracting the world’s top students was raised in the interview Trump gave last June on the podcast “All-In.” Can you promise, Trump was asked, to give companies more ability “to import the best and brightest” students?

    “I do promise,” Trump answered. Green cards, he said, would be handed out with diplomas to any foreign student who gets a college or graduate degree.

    Trump said he knew stories of “brilliant” graduates who wanted to stay in the U.S. to work but couldn’t. “They go back to India, they go back to China” and become multi-billionaires, employing thousands of people. “That is going to end on Day One.”

    Had Trump followed through with that pledge, a 24-year-old Indian physics major named Avi would not be afraid of losing everything he has worked toward.

    After six years in Arizona, where Avi attended college and is now working as an engineer, the U.S. feels like a second home. He dreams of working at NASA or in a national lab and staying in America where he has several relatives.

    But now he is too afraid to fly to Chicago to see them, rattled by news of foreigners being harassed at immigration centers and airports.

    “Do I risk seeing my family or risk deportation?” said Avi, who asked to be identified by his first name, fearing retribution.

    Avi is one of about 240,000 people on student visas in the U.S. on Optional Practical Training — a postgraduation period where students are authorized to work in fields related to their degrees for up to three years. A key Trump nominee has said he would like to see an end to postgraduate work authorization for international students.

    Avi’s visa is valid until next year but he feels “a massive amount of uncertainty.”

    He wonders if he can sign a lease on a new apartment. Even his daily commute feels different.

    “I drive to work every morning, 10 miles an hour under speed limit to avoid getting pulled over,” said Avi, who hopes to stay in the U.S. but is casting a wider net. “I spend a lot of time doomscrolling job listings in India and other places.”

    A Ukrainian chose college in America over joining the fight at home — for now

    Vladyslav Plyaka came to the U.S. from Ukraine as an exchange student in high school. As war broke out at home, he stayed to attend the University of Wisconsin.

    He was planning to visit Poland to see his mother but if he leaves the U.S., he would need to reapply for a visa. He doesn’t know when that will be possible now that visa appointments are suspended, and he doesn’t feel safe leaving the country anyway.

    He feels grateful for the education, but without renewing his visa, he’ll be stuck in the U.S. at least two more years while he finishes his degree. He sometimes wonders if he would be willing to risk leaving his education in the United States — something he worked for years to achieve — if something happened to his family.

    “It’s hard because every day I have to think about my family, if everything is going to be all right,” he said.

    It took him three tries to win a scholarship to study in the U.S. Having that cut short because of visa problems would undermine the sacrifice he made to be here. He sometimes feels guilty that he isn’t at home fighting for his country, but he knows there’s value in gaining an education in America.

    “I decided to stay here just because of how good the college education is,” he said. “If it was not good, I probably would be on the front lines.”

    ___

    AP Education Writer Collin Binkley contributed to this report.

    ___

    The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Suspected Lego theft ring leader arrested in Northern California
    • Local news

    Mastermind Behind Northern California’s Elaborate Lego Theft Ring Apprehended: A True Crime Story

    A man from Northern California has been apprehended in connection with an…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Federal prosecutors charge man accused of threatening to shoot up Atlanta airport
    • Local news

    Atlanta Airport Threat: Federal Prosecutors Take Action Against Suspect in Chilling Shooting Plot

    ATLANTA – On Tuesday, federal prosecutors filed charges against a Georgia man,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    'We're talking about human lives and kids': Decatur, daycare center reach agreement
    • Local news

    Decatur Daycare Triumph: Landmark Agreement Prioritizes Children’s Safety and Well-being

    For over two years, the Decatur City Council and a daycare facility…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Mattoon movie theater will reopen ahead of the new year
    • Local news

    Mattoon Movie Theater Revival: Grand Reopening Set for December 2023

    MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — A fresh chapter is set to begin for…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025

    Discover Heritage Day at the Historic Bogart/Bowman Cabin in Unicoi

    UNICOI, Tenn. (WJHL) – This Saturday, immerse yourself in Appalachian culture amidst…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Texas says database found 2,000 possible noncitizens on voter rolls
    • Local news

    Texas Identifies 2,000 Potential Noncitizens on Voter Registration Lists

    The Texas Secretary of State, Jane Nelson, announced that her office has…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    'This is like a museum that came to you': Holocaust exhibit debuts in Champaign
    • Local news

    Holocaust Exhibit Premieres in Champaign, Bringing Museum Experience to Visitors

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – In a significant collaborative effort, three organizations came…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Israel identifies two more hostages' bodies as Vance prepares to meet Netanyahu
    • Local news

    Israel Confirms Identities of Two Hostages as U.S. Diplomat Vance Readies for Netanyahu Meeting

    In Tel Aviv, Israel, a significant development unfolded as the office of…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    NICU patients at Advocate Children’s Hospital celebrate their first Halloween
    • Local news

    Tiny Patients at Advocate Children’s Hospital Experience Their First Halloween Celebration

    CHICAGO (WGN) This October, even the smallest patients at Advocate Children’s Hospital…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Israel identifies two more hostages' bodies as Vance prepares to meet Netanyahu
    • Local news

    Israel Confirms Identities of Additional Hostage Victims Amid Vance’s Diplomatic Mission to Meet Netanyahu

    TEL AVIV – In a solemn update, Israeli authorities have confirmed the…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Port Wentworth Ice Cove's 'beam topping' ceremony
    • Local news

    Port Wentworth Ice Cove Celebrates Milestone with Beam Topping Ceremony

    PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. – Tuesday marked a significant milestone for Port Wentworth’s…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Arizona sues US House over delay in Grijalva swearing-in
    • Local news

    Arizona Takes Legal Action Against US House: Grijalva’s Swearing-In Delayed

    On Tuesday, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, initiated legal action…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Howard University professor calls on White political allies to emulate vigilante mass murderer
    • US

    Howard University Professor Urges White Allies to Reflect on Controversial Vigilante Actions

    A professor from Howard University known for her far-left views has stirred…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Judge sanctions NC justice department for 'pervasive issues'
    • Crime

    North Carolina Justice Department Penalized by Judge for ‘Widespread Issues

    North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson speaks at a press conference (NCDOJ).…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Hannah Thomas was badly injured following an anti-Israel protest in Sydney's west.
    • AU

    Shocking Twist: Officer Faces Fresh Charges in Assault Case Involving Ex-Greens Candidate

    A police officer already facing legal proceedings for allegedly assaulting former…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    These workers won't get paid Friday if the government shutdown continues
    • Local news

    Government Shutdown Threatens Paychecks for Workers This Friday

    (NEXSTAR) While biweekly employees are gearing up for the second of three…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.