The return of a hard-edged “America First” agenda in Washington has put US universities back in focus. From tighter controls on who gets a student visa to tougher scrutiny of federally funded research, the higher-education ecosystem is feeling fresh pressure. For Indian students, the largest international cohort in the US, the stakes are immediate: admissions choices, funding odds, internship pathways, and post-study work options all hinge on what changes in Washington actually stick.