US visa delay threatens 2,000 foreign students
Washington, June 3
A New Hampshire university could lose as many as 2,000 international graduate students unless the Department of Homeland Security quickly approves a pending application tied to a new doctoral programme, prompting lawmakers to press the Trump administration for urgent action.
The issue surfaced during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's fiscal year 2027 budget request, where Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire raised concerns about delays affecting New England College and its ability to enrol foreign students in a new Doctorate in Business Administration programme.
During a Congressional hearing, Shaheen told Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin that the college faces a critical July 1 deadline and warned that failure to secure approval could have serious consequences for the institution and its students.
"As I explained on the phone, there is real urgency about this because, without approval by July 1st, they're going to potentially lose 2,000 students, graduate students," Shaheen said.
The senator said the institution prepares students for careers in artificial intelligence, national security, healthcare management and other high-demand sectors.
"This is a university that prepares students for jobs in artificial intelligence, national security, health care management, a lot of other high-demand, high-skill professions," Shaheen said, adding that the college plays an important role in both the local community and the state's economy.
Seeking an update on the application, Shaheen asked whether DHS could provide clarity on the status of the school's request to enrol F-1 international students in the new programme.
Mullin acknowledged the urgency of the matter and said the department had already begun reviewing the case.
"We've got the point of contact. We'd asked for the point of contact for the college; I believe we did receive that, and we give it to USCIS," Mullin said.
The Secretary said the issue had been discussed only days earlier and promised to seek an update from US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
"I don't think there's going to be much of one, because we just talked about this Thursday, I believe, and so I think we're working on it," he said.
When Shaheen noted that the college had still not heard from the department, Mullin pledged immediate follow-up.
"If they haven't heard back from them I will -- they will hear back from them today -- not -- well, tomorrow," he said.
The exchange highlighted the growing importance of international students to American universities, particularly graduate programmes in science, technology, business and healthcare fields that depend heavily on overseas enrolment.
The F-1 visa programme is the primary route through which international students study in the United States. India has emerged as one of the largest sources of foreign students in the country, with Indian enrolment rising sharply in recent years, especially in graduate-level programmes focused on technology, engineering, business and artificial intelligence.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's frustrating that after all the paperwork, fees, and anxiety, a simple DHS approval can determine whether a student gets to pursue a doctorate or lose their admission offer. 😐 My cousin faced a similar visa delay for a STEM programme in 2023. The US keeps talking about wanting global talent, but the system treats international students like a burden. Meanwhile, India's own IITs and IISc are doing great work — maybe it's time to look at options closer to home.
As someone who studied in the US on an F-1 visa, I can tell you that delays like this are common and demoralising. The university's future is tied to these approvals, and the students make huge sacrifices — leaving family, taking loans — only to face uncertainty. I understand DHS has a lot on its plate, but a July 1 deadline is more than reasonable. Secretary Mullin's response suggests this is being taken lightly. I hope Senator Shaheen follows up aggressively.
This is a classic case of US bureaucracy hurting its own economy. New England College prepares 2,000 students for AI, healthcare, and national security — exactly the sectors America needs talent in. And these students are mostly from India and China, paying high tuition, generating revenue. If DHS keeps dragging its feet, these students will go to Canada, UK, or Australia. Modi ji's government should also ensure Indian universities are ready to absorb this talent.
I respect that Senator Shaheen is pushing for answers, but the fact that DHS is taking so long for a routine doctoral programme designation is ridiculous. The US education system depends on international students, and India is the largest source. If we want these bright students to contribute to our AI and security industries, we need to make the process smoother. A July 1 deadline is tight, but DHS should have finalised this months ago. Mullin's "I think
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