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The recent executive order ending birthright citizenship in the United States has created a significant ripple effect, particularly impacting Indian students and families. The policy, effective February 19, 2025, denies automatic US citizenship to children born to parents on temporary visas, including H-1B, H-4, and student visas. This directly affects a large number of Indian nationals, who constitute a significant portion of these visa categories. The consequences are far-reaching, threatening to disrupt the long-standing relationship between the US and India in education and the workforce. For Indian students, this means a future shrouded in legal uncertainty, potential loss of access to in-state tuition and federal financial aid, and challenges in navigating the complex immigration system. The American Dream, once a beacon for many, now seems increasingly unattainable for these aspiring scholars.
The United States has long benefited from the significant contributions of Indian professionals and students. Indian nationals represent a substantial portion of the US workforce, particularly in high-skill sectors like technology, healthcare, and engineering. The H-1B visa program, dominated by Indian professionals (70% of holders according to the American Immigration Council), plays a critical role in filling crucial talent gaps within the US economy. Similarly, the H-4 visa, supporting the dependents of H-1B visa holders, is essential for maintaining family stability. The substantial number of H-4 visas granted to Indian nationals (106,162 in 2019, according to the CATO Institute) reflects the family-centric migration patterns of Indian immigrants. The birthright citizenship ban disrupts this balance, jeopardizing the futures of children born to these visa holders and creating uncertainty about their long-term prospects in the US. Indian students, constituting the second-largest group of international enrollees in US universities (over 200,000 in 2023 according to the IIE), represent a significant source of revenue for US universities and contribute significantly to the overall economy ($33.8 billion in 2021-2022, according to NAFSA). The ban risks a significant decrease in this crucial influx of talent and revenue, impacting both the educational institutions and the broader US economy.
The birthright citizenship ban is likely to trigger a significant shift in the landscape of higher education for Indian students. Families considering the US as a destination for work and education may reconsider in light of the added uncertainty and potential legal challenges facing their children. This potential exodus could exacerbate existing talent shortages in STEM fields, where Indian students and professionals are overrepresented. With the US already projecting a significant shortage of tech workers (1.2 million by 2026, according to the BLS), policies that deter Indian talent may prove to be a self-inflicted wound, undermining America's global competitiveness. This situation creates an opportunity for other countries to attract this highly skilled workforce. Countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK are actively positioning themselves as attractive alternatives, offering more favorable immigration policies and clearer pathways to permanent residency. This is particularly appealing to Indian families seeking stability and long-term opportunities for their children.
Canada's recent surge in Indian student enrollment highlights the potential for other countries to benefit from this shift. In 2024, Canada hosted 427,000 Indian students, solidifying its position as the top destination for Indian students globally. The significant increase in Indian student permits issued by Canada (41% of total study permits in 2023, up from 12% in 2014, according to IRCC) underscores the attractiveness of its immigration policies. Similarly, Australia, despite some fluctuations in recent years, remains a popular destination for Indian students. While the number of Indian students in Australia peaked in 2023, the ongoing trend suggests that alternative destinations are becoming increasingly attractive as the US becomes less welcoming to Indian students and professionals. The overall trend points towards a redistribution of global talent, as countries with more welcoming immigration policies and clear paths to permanent residency gain an advantage in attracting highly skilled individuals from India and other countries. The long-term implications of this shift in the global landscape of higher education remain to be seen, but it is evident that the birthright citizenship ban has initiated a chain reaction with significant repercussions for both the United States and other competing nations.
Source: Birthright citizenship ban: How this could end the American dream for Indian students