The impact of the Trump administration on immigration

Immigration has always been a fundamental piece of the political identity of President Donald Trump, who took office in 2017 and is seeking reelection on November 3, 2020.

However, initially, since he launched his presidential campaign in 2015, his immigration proposals were mainly related to massive illegal immigration, which, in his opinion, should be halted at all costs. Hence, the border wall that separates the US from Mexico has been a cornerstone of his political proposal.

Despite the Trump government’s intention to reduce illegal immigration, the legal immigration system has also felt a strong impact from the current administration of the US, which has been more noticeable since the arrival of the global Coronavirus pandemic to the North American territory.

Do you need help with an immigration case? Contact Motion Law and follow the advice of experts, who will help you choose the process that best suits your current needs.

Trump’s proposals regarding student immigration

Speaking specifically about the education sector, which benefits greatly from the investment and talent of foreign students, the Trump administration has tried to reduce the number of student visas issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and increase restrictions for foreigners who wish to complete their higher education in the country.

On the one hand, in July 2020, the Trump administration stated that foreign students must attend at least a portion of face-to-face classes during the fall to avoid deportation, despite the threat posed by COVID-19. This rule was revoked due to the reaction of local universities and colleges, who filed legal complaints against the Trump government.

On the other hand, at the end of September 2020, the Trump government, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stated that foreign students would be allowed to apply for visas with a fixed time period (maximum 4 years). Normally, they can reside in the US for the duration of their studies, but this will no longer be possible under the new rule.

Visit our Blog section for more immigration news.

What is the opinion of universities and colleges?

The reaction from universities and colleges regarding the Trump administration’s proposals, including recognized institutions such as Harvard or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was strong and firm, as the education sector relies heavily on foreign students.

Let’s see some contributions from international students:

1. Annually, they invest approximately $40 billion to access higher education in the US.
2. Due to their investment, American students can receive subsidies and discounts.
3. Universities promote research, science, technology and innovation with the help of both local students and highly qualified foreign students.
4. Foreign students bring talent, dedication, and skills that contribute to the socioeconomic development of the US.

However, despite arguments of multiple educational institutions, the global Coronavirus pandemic and the Trump administration caused the entry of foreign students to drop 14% during the fall.

Institutions assure that, if President Trump wins re-election, it is possible that the education sector and the competitiveness of the US will lose the prestige they currently have and will cease to be attractive to foreign talent, which is necessary for overcome the current juncture.

Seek reliable help for your immigration case

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.