Breaking news! U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to take all necessary measures to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return educational management authority to the states.
In a speech at the White House, Trump stated that key functions of the Department of Education will be retained, such as programs for low-income, disabled, and special needs students, which will not be affected; furthermore, these programs will be reassigned to other appropriate agencies and departments to ensure the rights of these student groups. However, the government will use all legally permissible means to expedite the closure of the Department of Education. This means that just two months into his presidency, Trump's plan to dissolve the Department of Education has officially entered the implementation phase.
Since Donald Trump officially took office as President of the United States on January 20, 2025, streamlining government agencies has become one of his key policy goals, with the education sector being a primary focus of reform. According to previous reports from U.S. media, the Department of Education will implement a large-scale layoff plan, expected to cut about 1,300 out of 4,000 employees. Combined with employees who have previously agreed to resign or retire, the total reduction will reach approximately 50%.
Now, with Trump signing the executive order to dissolve the Department of Education, this news has hit the education sector like a deep-water bomb, leaving countless parents, students, and educators in deep confusion and anxiety.
U.S. media outlets are predicting that if the Department of Education is indeed abolished, the entire education system may undergo a major reshuffle, with the following points being of particular concern for international students:
● If the Department of Education is closed, the opportunities and amounts of scholarships available to international students are likely to be significantly reduced. In the past, the Department provided substantial scholarships and financial aid to international students through various programs, which became an important financial support for many students to complete their studies. With the closure of the Department, funding sources and management will fall into disarray, and those Chinese international students relying on scholarships will face difficulties in paying tuition and living expenses, leading to increased financial pressure on their families.
● Visa policies and OPT (Optional Practical Training) permits are filled with uncertainty. Previously, the Department of Education worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security to jointly formulate and implement visa and internship policies for international students. Among these, the OPT permit is a key pathway for international students to gain work experience after graduation. However, with the closure of the Department, this collaboration will be interrupted, and the conditions, duration, and scope of OPT applications may undergo significant changes, making it more difficult for international students to find jobs and making it unpredictable whether they can stay in the U.S. for internships and work after graduation.
● After the closure of the Department of Education, inter-departmental collaboration may encounter issues, leading to more complex and lengthy visa approval processes, and visa policies may further tighten. For example, international students may need to provide more documentation and undergo stricter background checks when applying for visas, increasing the difficulty of visa applications and the risk of denial.
● Challenges will also arise in degree certification. The Department of Education originally played a key role in supervising accreditation agencies and ensuring the quality of education in schools. However, with its closure, the accreditation system will have gaps, and states may act independently, establishing different degree certification standards, which will undoubtedly lead to inconsistencies and confusion in degree certification.
In summary, the closure of the U.S. Department of Education will bring a series of challenging issues for everyone’s career development and personal future. However, for many parents in the U.S. and families planning to study in the U.S., there is no need for excessive worry. Although Trump has signed the executive order, completely shutting down the Department of Education is not an easy task. From a legal perspective, the relevant closure bill needs to be approved by both houses of Congress; politically, states controlled by the Democratic Party are already prepared to resist through legal action. Additionally, during the implementation process, local governments will face numerous challenges in taking over the responsibilities and funding of the Department of Education, such as how to allocate resources reasonably and ensure continuity in management. The WorldWay Group will continue to monitor the situation closely.
In light of the current situation, families interested in immigration and studying in the U.S. should plan ahead for U.S. residency and obtain a U.S. green card. Having U.S. residency allows for the same freedom to access U.S. education as U.S. citizens. In college admissions, children with green cards have a much higher acceptance rate than international students, with the same application opportunities as local students, and can choose popular majors without restrictions. Educational expenses are also more economical, as they can attend public primary and secondary schools for free, and university tuition is more favorable. After graduation, children with green cards can work without restrictions, without needing to participate in the H-1B visa lottery, allowing for a smoother and freer career development.
So, how can one quickly obtain a U.S. green card? Currently, the EB-5 investment immigration program is a favored option among investors. Under the new policy, applicants born in mainland China have not yet encountered a situation requiring a waiting period, so submitting applications early to lock in priority dates is essential for realizing the dream of immigrating to the U.S. Additionally, investors in the U.S. can simultaneously submit I-526E and I-485 applications within the U.S. to secure "small green card" status (work permit + re-entry permit), allowing for freedom to work, study, and travel. The "concurrent application" policy is the first time in U.S. immigration history that applicants can submit a change of status application before their immigration application is approved, and they can receive a Combo card in as little as 90 days.
Currently, two highly sought-after EB-5 projects on the market, the "Aspen Kodiak Apartments" which has received dual approvals for I-956F and I-526E, and the "Hawaii Grand Resort" developed by capital giants which has received approval for I-956F, are both high-quality EB-5 rural projects that have been rigorously selected and vetted by the WorldWay Group, making them excellent choices for quick immigration to the U.S.
