UAE students hope Biden’s win makes it easier to study and work in the US

International students hope the new government changes Trump administration’s unfriendly immigration policies

Sakshi Chandak, 18, hopes the new government understands the importance of bringing international students to the country. Reem Mohammed / The National

UAE residents who study at US universities said they were relieved and happy after Joe Biden won the presidential election.

Students from the Emirates hoped that the president-elect will reverse President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies and that getting visas to study in the US will become easier.

Dubai resident Sakshi Chandak, 18, an Indian second-year psychology student at Arizona State University, said: “I was elated when Biden won. I think he will be an amazing president.

“It was a historic moment with Kamala Harris becoming Vice President-elect. The glass ceiling has been shattered.

“She looks like me. The feeling of seeing someone like you in that position makes you feel that maybe you could be up there.”

Ms Chandak said it was a big day for people who struggled under Mr Trump’s administration.

Students suffered under the Trump administration’s immigration policies and strict post-study work visa rules.

The government made it harder for international students to get visas and limited their time in the US after they graduated.

In July, students enrolled at American universities were told they would be deported or transferred to different institutes if their classes remained online in the autumn semester.

For international students, the chances of getting a work visa may not change immediately, but they are hopeful a Biden administration would adopt policies that were more migrant-friendly.

“Donald Trump did not realise the impact of migrant workers, but Joe Biden understands the importance of bringing international talent to the country,” Ms Chandak said.

“I don’t know a single international student who wanted Trump as president.

“Now, students would not have to worry about having a president who will send them back or deport them for no reason.”

For Sidhant Mathur, a fourth-year economics student at the University of California, a Biden administration will mean more security and stability.

“I felt relieved,” he said.

“In the last four years, there has been aggression toward minorities and international immigrants.

“I did not feel welcomed here.”

Mr Mathur hopes the country will offer more employment opportunities to international students.

Shehryar Haris, a Pakistani student of international economics and finance at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, has lived in the US since 2016.

“The people have chosen their leader and this was the best choice,” said Mr Haris, who grew up in the UAE and whose parents live in Dubai.

“It was good to see democracy in action.

“With a president like Joe Biden, you know what to expect. There isn’t that sense of uncertainty.”

Mr Haris lives in Washington and the city voted decisively for Mr Biden.

“I came to know Biden had won when my building erupted into celebration and I heard people chanting and screaming in celebration.”

He said people came out on to the streets to celebrate.