US visa issuance under threat for some countries

As part of a slew of new legislation upon his ascension into the White House this week, Trump signed an executive order all but banning people from some – as yet unnamed – countries from entering the US.

The order, which is designed to protect the US from foreign terrorism and other national security threats, pledges to identify countries with such “deficient” vetting and screening information that a partial or full suspension from entering the US is warranted.

“It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes,” the order stated.

On the same day, President Trump also signed an executive order ending so-called ‘birthright citizenship’ – where all people born in the US could expect to hold American citizenship.

Before his inauguration Trump was expected to curtail this right for children born to illegal immigrants. But the executive order also names children born to legal temporary visitors to the US – including those visiting the country on a study visa – as among those ineligible for birthright citizenship.

The order means that from February 19 children born in the US from people in the country on study visas will not automatically be granted citizenship. This extends to babies born to a couple where just one parent is not a US citizen or permanent resident.

The news has garnered significant concern among international stakeholders, with several Indian-American politicians vowing to fight the legislation.

“No matter what Donald Trump says or does, birthright citizenship has and will be the law of the land. I will fight to protect it at all costs,” said Michigan Congressman Shri Thanedar.

The legislation also faces legal opposition from 18 states, with California, Massachusetts, Washington and New York among those suing to block it from becoming law.

India is a key source market for the US’s international education sector, with more than 330,000 Indians heading to the country for study opportunities last year.

The enhanced vetting order marks a slight departure from Trump’s pre-election stance on immigration rights for international students in the US. In June 2024, he said he would guarantee all overseas graduates of American colleges green cards if he were to take the White House again.