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Indonesian workers and students want Biden
In a nutshell, new immigration restrictions with the current election uncertainty looms fear and anxiety among Indonesian students and workers.
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s the American election cycle came to its finish line, Indonesian workers and student visa holders are biting their tongues. The 2020 president-elect is a key factor in determining the future of America’s immigration policy, which would directly affect the job security of Indonesian workers and immigration restrictions for Indonesians studying in the United States.
On top of that, violent hate crimes against Asians have surged as President Donald Trump labeled the novel coronavirus the “China virus”, which would likely continue if he stayed in the White House.
The Trump administration has made aggressive changes to US immigration policies throughout his rule. In the past six months, the administration has dramatically restricted employment-based immigration and imposed new restrictions on the student visa. As a result, many Indonesian students have left the US and opted for online learning, but for Indonesian workers this would mean losing their work permits and their chance of working in the US territory.
Almost a month before the election, Trump proposed a plan that substantially increased the wages American companies must pay foreign hires and narrowed down the eligibility criteria for applicants. Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, the acting deputy of homeland security, has estimated a cut of one-third to the number of petitions filed annually for the visa.
On the other hand, former vice president Joe Biden’s plan offers to reverse Trump’s immigration measures. Some of his plans include reforming the temporary visa system, increasing the number of visas offered for permanent or work-based immigration in accordance to market needs, and protecting foreign workers from exploitation.
According to Indonesian Students Association (Permias) data, there are roughly 4,461 Indonesian students in the US, excluding exchange students and short-course takers. Meanwhile, thousands of Indonesian H1B visa holders and other working visa holders who have worked, studied and potentially have built a family in the US are also at risk for deportation over Trump’s policies.
“Ever since the pandemic started, international students have been having a hard time. Especially when he threatened to revoke our visas if we had no on-ground classes going on to send us home. If he were to be reelected who knows what other policies he might come up with?” stated Adeline Huang, an Indonesian student studying at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Rafa al-Helal, an Indonesian nursing student worker at St. Olaf College, Minnesota shared the same sentiment. “Our sense of security may be affected, some more than others, since some of us appear apparently Muslim (hijabis) or fit under the racist stereotype of ‘Chinese’,” said Rafa.
Since 2019, Indonesian students have been turning away from the US to seek higher education elsewhere. Data from VOA News said the number of Indonesian students enrolling in US colleges had dropped 3.4 percent by 2019. Security and safety reasons contribute to the decline of eager students. Factors such as budget cuts, immigration limitations, bureaucracy to obtain permits, as well as inconveniences due to the trade war, had also contributed to the figure.
In a nutshell, new immigration restrictions with the current election uncertainty looms fear and anxiety among Indonesian students and workers.
“Personally, I feel discouraged to work in the United States as a registered nurse after graduation because there are too many uncertainties from an immigration perspective.” said Rafa.
There’s also the constant worry of xenophobia. Huang said. “The fact that Trump might be reelected speaks volumes about American values.”
A Biden presidency, although imperfect, might offer a new hope for Indonesians working or studying in the US. Biden’s commitment to a humane immigration system and possibility of regional partnerships with ASEAN countries would increase stability and security for Indonesian students and workers working abroad. For Indonesian students and workers, this would also mean a much more promising future in the US.
“I am not entirely sure how much will change in the next two years if Biden gets elected”, said Rafa. “I think I will have a psychological sense of relief and I will feel less targeted as an international student.”
Biden’s presidency will be a victory lap for students and workers, while Trump’s win would extend immigration chaos. Biden’s win promises Indonesian students and workers the dream of sitting at the table.
If that isn’t the American dream for Indonesian students and workers, then a Biden’s America is a good place to start.
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The writers holds a bachelor of science in political economy from Fordham University, New York.
