Once again, President Donald Trump has reignited the immigration debate, this time focusing on tightening up visa options for international students and foreign media personnel – especially journalists – coming to the US. Under the Trump administration, the international students and foreign journalists will have to undergo stricter immigration scrutiny through thorough background checks, constant surveillance, and limited duration visas. This concern has raised alarm amongst students, media personnel, and advocacy groups.
Students Under Scrutiny
Monitoring and background checking for thousands of international students coming to the US for education is unprecedented. The administration has gone past institution to harsher restrictions of background checks to ensure that all research programs especially those in sensitive and high-tech fields face heightened oversight. This has raised concern amongst global students and academicians who believe this will result in a brain drain and slow down everyone’s access to education in the US.
Impact on Foreign Journalists
Foreign journalists will be subject to arduous restrictions as well under the new visa norms. Trump’s administration alleges that international media has shown bias against him, leading to calls for tighter control over press credentials foreign journalists receive. Media rights activists warn of the clear breach of press liberty and the democratic values of the US by attempting to limit the international press’ presence in the country.
Political Reactions and Timing
As Trump is developing his campaign platform, there is a politically charged atmosphere surrounding his proposed immigration restrictions. Supporter motivation has broadly coalesced around the issue of immigration, but targeting students and journalists shifts the focus in troubling ways. Critics within the Democratic party and academia have branded these proposals as counterproductive, jeopardizing the U.S. position as the global leader in education and the free flow of ideas.
Given these proposed changes, students and media professionals are encouraged to follow the official announcements of the State and Homeland Security Departments. In addition, universities, as well as press professional associations, have a significant responsibility to advocate on behalf of the affected individuals to help them adapt to the changing reality.
