Visas Revoked: What's the Real Cost of Executive Orders?

In this episode of Pulse in Politics, host Alana Sanders unpacks the controversial executive order signed by former President Donald Trump that revoked student visas for international college students. What was the reasoning behind this decision? Who did it impact the most? And how could we have done better?

Join Alana for a thought-provoking conversation that balances facts, real-life impact, and solutions. She explores the economic and human cost of this move, asks the tough questions, and invites you to reflect on the role policy plays in shaping our future.

Tune in, get informed, and let your voice be part of the conversation.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Stay locked in way news meets the heartbeat of the streets.
It's pulsing politics with Alina Sanders posing politics. Turn it up,
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(00:22):
Sanders keeps it real in here. Raking News, get the scoop,
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no spin, just facts in the booth so sharp. Elena
Sanders bringing knowledge where the mic and a spark polsting politics,
turn it up, loud voice is that matter? Speaking truth
right now from the city to the world. Got the

(00:43):
fact so clear, Elina Sanders keeps it real in here.
That's the post, that's the truth only on pulsing policy.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
Hello, hello, is how many of you call me commission?
It's pulsing politics with your host Alena Sanders and school
school is in session, Okay, So we're gonna dive into

(01:17):
a decision that got folks across campuses and communities buzzing, buzzing, talking,
just in disarray. I mean, there's so many words to
describe what's going on right now. So an executive order
was signed by number forty seven Aisle President Donald Trump

(01:39):
that revoke student visas for many international students studying in
the United States. Now, listen, this isn't just about policy,
it's what they say, it's about people. So let's unpack this.
Why was this done, how the impact lives, and how

(02:00):
could we have done this better? That's the main thing.
How could we have done this better? Let's start with
the facts. Okay, this executive order was centered on revoking
visas for international students, many of whom were attending colleges

(02:21):
and universities across the country, from IVY League to local
community college, millions of students. Now, the reasoning stated behind
this executive order from the Trump administration was to tie
concerns about national security and desire to reduce the number

(02:43):
of foreign nationals studying sensitive subjects like artificial intelligence. I
mean they can also study this and their country because
a lot of this didn't start in the United States.
But I digress again, So nuclear science and cybersecurey, especially
from countries like China, who we are in debt to
right now anyway, But now this is a new There's

(03:09):
a long history of the United States tightening immigration policies
under the banner of national security, but the question is
was this move really really about safety or was it
a political strategy? And what was the cost, especially the

(03:31):
cost to the American people, the taxpayers. So some quick facts.
In twenty nineteen through twenty twenty school year, international students
contributed over forty four billion. Let me say that again,
forty four billion to the United States economy. I don't
think you guys heard me. International students contribute over forty

(03:54):
four billion to the United States economy. That's tuition, housing, books, food,
and more. So let's be clear, this decision is going
to have a ripple effect. Let's talk about the human
side of this, the human side. Imagine you're a student

(04:16):
from India, Nigeria or Brazil. You're working two jobs, sang
up late to meet deadline, sending money home, and then
you're told your visa is revoked, just like that, no warning, nothing,
Remember there was no warning really given to the schools
in advance, no warning, no clear process. What happens to

(04:39):
your degree? What if you're a senior about to graduate,
your rent, your health insurance questions for thought. Let's just
think about this. Did this decision actually make us safer?
That's number one? Did it actually make US safer. We're
talking about college students here. Now. Not to say that

(05:00):
some college students are not a threat. I'm not saying that.
I want to make that clear, But how does the
fact the trust between international students and the US institution?
Number two? Are we sending a message that talent from
other nations are not welcome here? Number three? Now here's

(05:28):
some deeper considerations, something to consider. Many other students go
on to become doctors, engineers, teachers, contributing not only to
the economy but to the culture innovation of this country.

(05:49):
Many of them do not go back to their country.
They're contributing to this country. We have a teacher shortage.
Could we have done better? That's always the question. Let's
be honest. If there were valid security concerns, okay, let's
talk about them. But was there another way? What could

(06:16):
have been done differently? At least a year six months
to a year warning or get allowing them to finish
up their school year. We didn't really have to do
this at all, but I would love to see the reasoning,
the true reasoning behind it. That's why I always say,

(06:37):
let's sit down at the table, let's keep it real.
Just say what the elephant is in the room. You know.
Create a review based process instead of a blanket band,
Offer students an appeal pathway to clarify their academic intentions

(06:58):
and field of study. Partner with institutions to monitor high
risk programs instead of punishing everyone. What would that have
shown that we have a heart for Number one? It
was shown thoughtfulness, leadership, compassion, leadership, compassion, leadership, compassion. It

(07:25):
would have preserve the integrity of our universities and upheld
our values as a country that welcomes the world best minds. Now,
want to hear from you, my pulse, family, my heartbeat,

(07:45):
the heartbeats the pulse. What does this policy say about
who we value as a people as a country. Do
we think this executive order was just a how should
we balance national security with international collaboration? I need you

(08:06):
to respond to me, whether you listen to me live
right now, call in Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, email, hear me
up on social use the hashtag pulse in politics and
tell me how do you feel about international students being targeted?

(08:27):
If you're a student who's who has been impact, are
you working education? Your voice matters? I wanna hear from
you regarding this conversation. Let's bring those stories to the forefront.
I wanna talk to you. I would love to interview you. Look,
policy affects people, and this is why we stay informed,

(08:47):
This is why we ask the tough questions, and this
is why Pulse in Politics exists. To break it down,
call it out and talk solutions. To break it down,
call it out and talk solutions. Let's not just point fingers.
Let's push for policies that are smart, secure, and still

(09:07):
rooted in humanity. That's it for today. That's it for
today's episode of Pulse and Politics. Make sure you subscribe,
leave a review, and share this episode with everyone who
cares about the future of education, equity, who cares about

(09:30):
our youth, our students, who cares about the world yes
where we live in the United States, but who just
has a heart. Until next time, stay informed, stay active,
and stay true right here, right here on Pulse and Politics.

Speaker 1 (09:52):
That's the pulse, that's the truth, totally on Pulse and Politics.

Speaker 2 (10:00):
Then