Affected students make up only a small percentage of the more than a million overseas students in the US, says UG Overseas Education’s GM Jimmy Ho.
UG Overseas Education general manager Jimmy Ho said any hesitation on the part of the students is “understandable”, but he has yet to see an actual impact on students’ decision to enrol in American institutions of higher learning.
“From where we stand, Malaysian students are highly committed, law-abiding, and academically driven. We have not seen any of UG’s students affected by these recent developments,” he told FMT.
UG offers advice on overseas education, university application services and assistance in application for student visa.
Ho stressed that in the long run, there is unlikely to be a significant impact on Malaysian students’ decision to pursue higher education in the US.
He said the academic and professional appeal of the US education system remains unmatched. “No other country offers the same breadth of opportunity, innovation, and infrastructure in fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology,” he added.
In March, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said he had directed the state department to revoke more than 300 visas, most of which were held by students.
On April 21, Al Jazeera reported that at least 1,680 international students and recent graduates from over 260 US colleges and universities have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration.
US universities, acting in solidarity, have offered reassurances and support for international students but have not been able to ease their anxieties.
Ho acknowledged receiving inquiries from concerned parents, but he also pointed out that the US currently hosts over a million international students, and the affected group accounts for only a small minority.
“While these are serious cases and deserve attention, it’s equally important to understand the broader picture. These cases appear to be isolated, and the vast majority of students are continuing their studies without issue,” he said.
Many of the targets of the visa revocations and arrests are students who participated in pro-Palestine protests which erupted on campuses across the country last year amid the war in Gaza.
Tragic development
Sunway University president Sibrandes Poppema said that while the recent developments were “tragic”, he does not believe students currently studying in the US through the university’s American Degree Program are at risk.
“Western universities have claimed academic freedom and freedom of speech for many years, and this is the antithesis of these freedoms. On top of that, many of the measures appear to be blatantly illegal,” he told FMT.
Several international students, whose visas have been revoked, have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration.
According to the Associated Press, a class action lawsuit filed by American Civil Liberties Union affiliates, representing over 100 students in New England and Puerto Rico, asks the federal court to reinstate their visa status.
Ho said he strongly advised students to strictly adhere to their visa requirements, stay informed about ongoing developments, and register with the Malaysian embassy for an added layer of support.
“Maintaining full-time enrollment, keeping documentation up-to-date, and seeking assistance from their university’s international office are also crucial steps,” he added. - FMT
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