Fearing deportation, Indian students are quitting their part-time jobs after college hours to make some extra money. According to a report in The Times of India, the students said that although such jobs are important for survival in the US, they cannot risk their future, especially because they had to pay huge fees to get a seat in a college in the US. Has taken loan on a large scale.
This is coming ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 as the new administration has hinted at stricter immigration rules and stricter enforcement.
International students can work up to 20 hours per week on campus in the US on an F-1 visa, but many students work off-campus in restaurants, gas stations, retail stores, and elsewhere to cover essential expenses. However, students are now leaving such jobs to secure their future.
“I worked at a small café after my college hours to cover my monthly expenses. I earned $7 an hour and worked six hours every day. “Although it was a comfortable arrangement, I Weeks left after hearing that immigration officials could take action to stop unauthorized work. “I can’t take any risks after borrowing $50,000 (about Rs 42.5 lakh) to study here,” said Arjun, a graduate student at Illinois.
Similarly, Neha, a master’s student in New York, also had her own concerns. He said, “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 a lot to send me here.”
The students said they will assess the current situation before deciding on resuming their part-time jobs. Until that time, they will either rely on savings or borrow from friends and family in India.
Despite this, this will not be a permanent solution. “I have already spent most of my savings and have started borrowing small amounts from my roommate. I don’t know how long I can do this,” Rohan said and added that he would Feels guilty asking for money from parents. But he may have to do this soon to meet his expenses.
It has also highlighted mental health concerns as students feel overwhelmed by their financial and emotional stress.
India has agreed to take in undocumented Indian citizens from the US, following policies that could lead to thousands of people being deported. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has confirmed this amid the ongoing immigration deliberations, saying, “I caution you about (the numbers) because for us, a number becomes active when we can actually validate the fact. That the person concerned is of Indian origin,” he said. ,
