The U.S. continues to be the top destination for Indian students in 2024, with a 21% increase in enrolments, reaching a record 331,602 students. This growth, especially in graduate programmes, is driven by the U.S.'s academic excellence, flexible education options, and valuable work experience opportunities like Optional Practical Training (OPT). Despite challenges like visa uncertainties, Indian students contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, highlighting the mutual benefits of this growing educational exchange.
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A 22-year-old student from Telangana was shot dead in Chicago during a robbery at a gas station on September 29. Sai Teja, studying for a Master’s degree in the US, was helping a friend by staying after his shift when he was attacked. Despite handing over cash, he was shot. Efforts are underway to return his body to India.
MAGA hardliners are targeting the OPT program which allows foreign students, especially from India, to gain work experience in the US, arguing it unfairly replaces American jobs. The OPT program, seen as a pathway to H1-B visas, faces scrutiny, which may impact the influx of foreign students and overall academic and economic contributions.
In 2023-24, a record number of Indian students utilized the OPT programme to build work experience in the US. Despite the rising MAGA rhetoric and potential policy changes, the demand for skilled professionals in fields like AI and biotechnology ensures continuing interest from Indian graduates.
Thousands of undocumented Indians in the US face lengthy delays for asylum hearings, sometimes waiting until 2027. Detention, deportation threats, and arduous legal processes plague those seeking refuge, while human smugglers advise against claiming political persecution.
A photo of US vice president-elect JD Vance with his wife Usha Vance's Indian family has gone viral, countering accusations of racism and showcasing his bond with Indian culture. Social media users praised his integration and shared a range of supportive reactions.
Abel Tharayil, a 24-year-old from Thrissur, was found dead on a railway track in Stirling, Scotland, on March 12. British Transport Police ruled out foul play. His family, seeking further investigation, has approached authorities, including CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Union minister Suresh Gopi.
Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for US intelligence chief has garnered strong support among Indian Americans in Silicon Valley, citing her anti-interventionist stance and understanding of technology's role in national security. Her potential confirmation could strengthen US-India ties and foster collaboration between the government and the tech sector.
Indian professionals in the US face intensified social media attacks, raising safety concerns among Indian Americans. Leaders like Rishi Kumar and Ajay Bhutoria are advocating for stronger hate crime laws, accountability for social media platforms, and bipartisan support. Tech and industry leaders are urged to condemn the attacks, while President-elect Trump might address immigration reforms.
A light aircraft crash off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah resulted in the deaths of a 26-year-old Indian-origin doctor and a Pakistani pilot on December 26. Dr Sulaymaan Al Majid, a clinical fellow in the UK, and the pilot, a 26-year-old woman, died shortly after takeoff. Investigations are ongoing.
Indian-origin US lawmakers face racist backlash after Congressman Ami Bera posts a photo celebrating the growth of Indian-American representation in Congress. Critics on social media question their loyalty and call for stricter laws on eligibility for federal office based on native-born status, despite most being born in the US.