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In a significant move aimed at positioning itself as a hub for international education, Spain has announced expedited university access for foreign students who are unable to continue their studies in the United States due to visa restrictions imposed under President Donald Trump’s policies.

According to a statement released by Spain's Migration Ministry, international students who have been impacted by visa restrictions in the United States will now be entitled to continue their education in Spain. These students will also be able to work part-time while pursuing their education, which will provide them with a double advantage of education and work.

The development comes amid growing tensions between the Trump camp and prominent U.S. universities. As reported by Reuters, Trump has accused top institutions such as Harvard of fostering antisemitism following student-led demonstrations supporting Palestinian rights during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a series of retaliatory actions, Trump froze funding for investigations and even threatened to strip universities of their tax-exempt status.

A number of European countries have moved in to plug the academic gap that has left Trump bereft. Spain has acted particularly boldly, increasing research grants and streamlining the visa process to entice displaced academic expertise. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in sharp contrast to Trump, has openly welcomed immigration as a driver of economic growth.

Spain is already one of the most popular countries for American students to study abroad, after the UK and Italy, according to Reuters. Nearly 20,000 students seek for Spanish visas each year to attend Spanish universities and complete some of their coursework there.