A student from Hyderabad, pursuing higher education at Houston, said he was working at an Indian restaurant and was suddenly fired last week.
Hyderabad: Businesses being run by persons of Indian-origin (PIO) in the United States are firing Indian students from their jobs to avoid raids by immigration authorities. Many students, especially those who are in the US on non-work visas, have borne the brunt of US President Donald Trump’s immigration policy.
A student from Hyderabad, pursuing higher education at Houston, said he was working at an Indian restaurant and was suddenly fired last week. “I was doing my job as usual, but my manager suddenly told me not to come for work from the next day,” he said.
“He said immigration officers were checking businesses for workers with no permits, and he didn’t want any risk. Even I was worried that I could be deported, so I left without any murmur,” the student added.
Many small businesses in the US, especially Indian restaurants and grocery stores which rely on student workers, are now in chaos due to the deportation of immigrants and government actions against businesses hiring unauthorised employees.
With heightened scrutiny, both employers and students have turned cautious, and many businesses have put up boards stating they would only hire immigrants with valid work visas.
Dinesh Makkula, a private consultancy manager, said: “Some students took up off-campus jobs despite visa restrictions, as they needed money for rent and other expenses. But now, many are left without work. Business owners are also worried about penalties and criminal charges for employing unauthorised workers.”
“US immigration laws have become stricter, and working without proper authorisation can lead to visa cancellations or even deportation,” he said, adding that students are now struggling to find legal alternatives to support themselves.
