Research Funding Cut, H-1B Harder to Get: 10 Trump Decisions That Troubled Student-Workers in 2025

The year 2025 has been a roller-coaster for foreign students and workers in the U.S., following the return of Donald Trump to the presidency. From sweeping changes in immigration rules to new restrictions on work visas, several policies directly affected student-workers across the country. As the year draws to a close, here’s a look at the ten key Trump administration decisions in 2025 that caused maximum stress for student-workers.

1. H-1B Visa Fees Hiked
In September 2025, President Trump announced a massive increase in H-1B visa fees to $100,000. The move made it nearly impossible for foreign student-workers to obtain the visa, with many U.S. companies halting their hiring of international talent.

2. Social Media Scrutiny
From January, all new visa applicants faced mandatory social media checks. Any suspicious activity flagged on social profiles could result in visa denial. By December 15, this scrutiny extended to H-1B applicants as well.

3. SEVIS Records Cancelled
In March, thousands of international students saw their SEVIS records canceled, often for minor offenses or simply being deemed a “national security risk.” Many students were forced to leave the country due to this policy.

4. Harvard Controversy
In June, the Trump administration blocked foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University after the institution refused to share detailed student data. Research funding for Harvard and several other universities was also suspended, affecting countless PhD and research students.

5. Ending ‘Duration of Status’
A proposal in August aimed to end the ‘Duration of Status’ for F-1 and J-1 visa holders, limiting their stay to only 2–4 years instead of the entire course duration. This particularly impacted doctoral and research students.

6. Freeze on International Exchange Programs
Early in 2025, the administration halted funding for various international exchange programs, including Fulbright scholarships, leaving thousands of students stranded without financial support.

7. Travel Ban on 30+ Countries
The travel ban expanded in June to cover more than 30 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iran, effectively blocking citizens from these nations from studying or working in the U.S.

8. Salary-Based H-1B Proposal
Trump proposed replacing the H-1B lottery system with a salary-based selection, prioritizing high-salary applicants. This change could make entry-level jobs inaccessible to many foreign students.

9. Birthright Citizenship Ended
The administration announced that children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents would no longer automatically receive citizenship, directly affecting H-1B and L-1 visa holders with children born in the country. Legal challenges are ongoing.

10. Automatic EAD Extension Halted
In October, the Trump administration stopped the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). Previously, EADs could extend up to 540 days without approval, allowing work to continue. Now, foreign workers waiting in green card backlogs cannot work until their extension is formally approved.

Conclusion
2025 has been a turbulent year for international students and workers in the U.S., with policies ranging from visa fee hikes to travel bans and funding cuts. These decisions have reshaped the landscape for foreign talent, making the American dream more challenging to pursue.