US visa freeze leaves Indonesian, Malaysian students in limbo

Students express concern, disappointment over US visa application suspension, citing potential impact on their career goals

JAKARTA, Indonesia (MNTV) – The US Department of State’s recent directive to suspend scheduling appointments for student and foreign visitor visas has left millions of students worldwide, including those from Indonesia and Malaysia, in a state of uncertainty, reports The Straits Times.

A US State Department directive on May 27 ordered embassies to suspend scheduling appointments for student and foreign visitor visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of such applicants to enhance national security. 

In Malaysia, students who had planned to study in the US are now reconsidering their options. Andrew Siow, 19, a student enrolled in an American Degree Transfer Programme at Sunway University in Malaysia, had planned to finish his third and fourth years in science engineering at Western Michigan University in the US. However, with the new directive, he is now uncertain about his future.

“If this continues, I guess I will have to finish my studies in Malaysia,” he said. “I really wanted to go there and see the US, maybe visit parts of the country during my semester break. I’ve always wanted to visit California. I just hope the American government will stop this soon,” he added.

Niwa R Dwitama, a 33-year-old Indonesian who was accepted into Johns Hopkins University in Washington for his doctoral studies, is now considering pursuing his studies in Britain instead.

“With the current US immigration policy and economic uncertainties, being a foreign student in the US poses greater risks and hardships,” he said. “After all, I will be bringing my family with me during my studies,” he said.

Mrs. Liyana Ariff, a 48-year-old engineer from Malaysia, had planned to send her 19-year-old daughter to study data analytics in the US. However, with the new directive, she is now considering sending her daughter to study elsewhere.

“I’m quite concerned and wary of how the US has been deporting people out of the country,” she said. “I’ve read about that lady from Wales who was detained for three weeks even though she was flying out to Canada from Seattle. And she’s white. They’re also arresting their own citizens. If that can happen to these people, they could do a lot worse to my daughter.”

The US Embassy in Jakarta has reported that 8,348 Indonesian students were enrolled in US universities for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Indonesian government has urged the US to reconsider its policy, citing the potential impact on Indonesian students and the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Rolliansyah Soemirat, spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the government is “prepared to provide consular assistance to affected Indonesian students”.

In Malaysia, the Education Ministry has advised students who had planned to study in the US, to consider alternative options. The ministry has also urged the US government to reconsider its policy, citing the potential impact on Malaysian students and the bilateral relationship between the two countries.