Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Trump Immigration Measures Risk Straining India-US Ties Before Midterms
The article says the US government is considering new rules that could make it harder for some foreign students and workers to stay and work in the country.
It argues that students who already chose American universities under current rules could be treated unfairly if the rules change suddenly.
The article also says the government suspended eight companies from a work-visa-related program over alleged misuse.
Six of those companies were Indian and two were American.
The writer believes the actions may unfairly target Indians.
The article says companies that break the law should be held responsible rather than blaming workers.
It also points out that immigrants have helped build many large US businesses.
The writer worries these policies could hurt relations between India and the United States.
The editorial argues that the Trump administration is tightening immigration measures affecting foreign students and legally admitted workers.
It criticizes proposed $70,000 and $30,000 fees for foreign students seeking initial and extended Optional Practical Training.
The administration suspended eight companies from the PERM program over alleged misuse; six were Indian and two American.
The editorial says changing visa rules retrospectively could harm students who made plans under existing rules.
It warns that targeting Indians could damage the India-US strategic partnership and says immigrants have contributed substantially to US businesses.
- Who
- The Trump administration, foreign students and workers, and companies suspended from the PERM program.
- What
- An editorial criticizes proposed student fees and company suspensions, arguing that immigration measures could unfairly affect Indians and strain India-US ties.
- When
- The measures are discussed in the context of the 2026 congressional midterm elections; the student fees are described as proposals.
- Where
- The United States, with potential effects on India-US relations.
- Why
- The editorial argues that the administration is appealing to its core MAGA voter base and that the measures risk unfairly targeting immigrants and Indians.
Administration’s stated rationale
Editorial’s criticism
Employer-linked visas and worker vulnerability
Administration’s stated rationale
Vice President J.D. Vance described foreign workers as “indentured servants” of “visa mills,” reflecting concern about workers’ dependence on employers, as presented in the editorial.
Editorial’s criticism
The editorial argues that obstructing routes to permanent residency could deepen workers’ dependence rather than address it.
Immigration enforcement and company suspensions
Administration’s stated rationale
The administration suspended eight companies from PERM over alleged misuse of employment-based immigration programs.
Editorial’s criticism
The editorial says enforcement should focus on companies that violate the law and argues the suspensions appear to target Indian companies disproportionately.
Changes affecting foreign students
Administration’s stated rationale
The editorial says the administration believes foreign students may adversely affect US citizens’ interests and could change F-1 visa terms, including scrapping OPT.
Editorial’s criticism
The editorial opposes imposing hefty new fees on students already enrolled under existing rules and argues changes should not apply retrospectively.
- Proposed initial OPT fee
- $70,000 for foreign students, according to the editorial.
- Proposed OPT extension fee
- $30,000, according to the editorial.
- Companies suspended from PERM
- Eight companies: six Indian and two American.
- Program involved
- Permanent Labour Certification (PERM).
- Fortune 500 figures cited
- The editorial says 229 companies in an analysis of the 2026 Fortune 500 were founded by immigrants or their children.
- Employment figure cited
- Those companies together employed 15.3 million people worldwide, according to the editorial.