Parents worried over student deportations from USA

Hyderabad: Aspirants seeking to pursue education in America were an anxious lot, given the recent deportation of 21 Indian students from different American states.

 

John Wilson, Ed.D, part of a delegation of the Middle Tennessee State University, also expressed his astonishment at the deportation, although none of them were from his varsity.

 

He advised aspirants to do a thorough groundwork and that parents should check the details of the university, the course they are opting for and their future placements. “We don't see international students as pay cheques, we see them as human, we want to benefit them with education and skills.” 

 

However, the families of students who are set to join in the fall, September, are worried. 

 

Harshavardan Reddy, whose daughter joined one of the universities, said, “We have spent more than '30 lakhs on fees alone. Most are from the middle class and have to take loans. The deportation without explanation is unfair.” 

 

Srinivas, a bank employee, said, “We have applied for my son’s masters programme for the spring intake in January, but we are in a dilemma now. The odds are high, but we have to mortgage our property. I am suggesting him to wait for a year.” 

 

Statistics for May and June, traditionally the period of F1 visa issuance for the fall semester, indicate an increasing trend. While 42,750 students successfully obtained F1 visas from five Indian consulates in 2023, the number in 2022 was 38,309.