Decline in International Students in 2025: The Impact of Trump Policies on U.S. Education

Historic Downturn Confirmed: Data Show Steep Decline

New data from August through September 2025 confirm the steepest decline in international student arrivals and enrollments since the pandemic era.

Key metrics tracked by SEVIS, ITA summaries, and other official sources show a significant drop in new international student enrollment, highlighting the ongoing challenges for U.S. higher education.

A surge of reports in August and September 2025 reveals that Trump administration visa and enforcement policies have caused a sharp contraction in international student arrivals to U.S. colleges and universities. Multiple official and academic sources now point to a sustained reversal after years of recovery. Stricter visa policies, rising costs, increased scrutiny at consulates, limited visa appointment availability, and visa bans are among the factors contributing to this expected decrease in enrollment.

State department data is a key source for tracking trends in enrolled international students and fall enrollment, providing critical insight into the ongoing shifts in international student numbers and their impact on U.S. institutions.

Key Findings (Aug–Sept 2025)

• According to the International Trade Administration, only ~313,000 international students arrived in August 2025, representing a 19% decline compared to August 2024. Year-to-date arrivals were nearly 12% lower compared to the same period last year, marking the steepest summer drop since 2020. (See official ITA and SEVIS summaries released in September 2025.)
• The decline was most pronounced among Indian students (−45%), followed by Africa (−33%) and China (−12%), as reported by regional education consortia and Indian media summaries citing U.S. government arrival data.
• A Reuters investigation (Oct. 2, 2025) found that DePaul University, a private Catholic university in Chicago, recorded a 30% overall drop in international students and a 62% plunge among first-year graduate enrollees. The report further noted that national foreign enrollment fell 2.4% from 2024 levels, with similar impacts seen at other private Catholic universities.
• Inside Higher Ed (Sept. 2025) documented steep declines at smaller and regional universities:
• Indiana University–Indianapolis: 26% fewer international students
• SUNY Buffalo: ~750 fewer enrolled
• Illinois regional publics: between 15–25% declines These losses are now spreading beyond elite institutions to state and mid-tier campuses.
• NAFSA’s Fall 2025 Outlook warns that if new enrollments decline by 30–40%, total international student numbers could shrink by 15%, costing the U.S. economy an estimated $7 billion and 60,000 jobs tied to education and student spending.

Together, these findings signal that 2025 marks a structural reversal, with policy-induced uncertainty deterring new applicants and complicating renewals for returning students. Many schools across the country are experiencing similar declines. This uncertain environment could harm the perception of the U.S. as a premier destination for global talent, making it increasingly difficult to attract future international students.

From Record Growth to Rapid Retreat

• The Open Doors / IIE report for 2023–24 had celebrated an all-time high: 1.1 million international students.
• But SEVIS data show active foreign-student records dropping ~11% from March 2024 to March 2025 (a figure DHS later partially revised upward), signaling a significant impact on overall enrollment numbers at U.S. institutions.
• The State Department confirms that F-1 visa issuances fell 12% between January–April 2025 and a further 22% YoY in May, compared to 2024. Disruptions during the peak issuance season, when most student visas are processed, have contributed to this decline and further affected international student enrollment.
• By mid-year 2025, total F-1 issuances (~95,000) were the lowest since 2021, according to analyses by Inside Higher Ed and Shorelight.

Data from fall 2025 reveal double-digit drops in both visa issuance and campus enrollment, reversing earlier growth under post-pandemic recovery.

 

Trump’s 2025 Immigration Agenda: Key Policies Reducing International Enrollment

1. Temporary Visa Interview Suspension (May–June 2025)

• The State Department paused all new student visa interviews for F/M/J visas in late May 2025, citing “vetting system modernization,” which significantly impacted international students by delaying their ability to obtain visas and begin studies.
• Interviews resumed three weeks later with expanded social media and background checks, producing multi-week backlogs at consulates in India, China, and Nigeria.
• Thousands of admitted students missed fall orientation and were forced to defer admission or lose scholarships.

(Data confirmed in State Department briefings and sector summaries.)

2. Expanded Social-Media Vetting and Ideological Screening

• Beginning mid-2025, all applicants must disclose additional online profiles and undergo automated behavioral risk scanning.
• Officers can deny visas for “integrity or ideological concerns,” including perceived anti-U.S. sentiment or “suspect affiliations.”
• Students from politically sensitive regions are increasingly self-censoring or redirecting to other destinations. The Trump administration delayed visa processing and instituted travel bans or restrictions for 19 countries, further complicating the situation for prospective students, and deterring students seeking opportunities in the U.S.

3. Visa Revocations and SEVIS Terminations

• Since spring 2025, higher-education tracking shows 1,800+ F-1 and J-1 terminations across more than 280 U.S. institutions, often citing national security flags.
• Many students report receiving revocation notices mid-semester without clear explanation, forcing abrupt departures or reinstatement denials.

(Figures drawn from Inside Higher Ed monitoring reports, April–September 2025.)

4. Federal Compact Imposing Enrollment Caps

• An October 2, 2025 White House memo proposed a “Compact for Institutional Integrity”, conditioning federal funding benefits on compliance with:
  • Caps of 15% international undergraduates
  • No single country exceeding 5% of total student body
  • Compliance audits via the Department of Education
• Several states, including California, Illinois, and New York, announced resistance, citing constitutional and economic concerns. Many universities rely on international students who typically pay full tuition to offset decreasing domestic enrollment, making these caps particularly challenging.

(Full memo and state statements embedded in federal and state reporting archives.)

5. Rising Fees and Longer Processing Times

• The administration introduced a proposed $250 “integrity surcharge” on F-1 and J-1 applications.
• Students face extended 221(g) administrative holds, particularly in India and Africa, due to expanded vetting protocols.
• Combined with reduced consular staffing, this has created severe seasonal bottlenecks.

Proposed Policies Shaping 2026 and Beyond

A. $100,000 H-1B Supplemental Fee (Effective Sept 21, 2025)

• A Presidential Proclamation established a new $100,000 fee for all new H-1B petitions (not renewals).
• USCIS guidance clarifies that universities and nonprofits are not exempt when filing for employees or postdocs.
• For employers, the added cost often exceeds first-year salaries—deterring sponsorship of OPT-to-H-1B transitions.

Impact:

• Fewer companies will hire or retain international graduates.
• Students are reconsidering U.S. study if post-graduation work options vanish.

(Fee confirmation embedded via USCIS policy release and Federal Register filing, Sept 2025.)

B. H-1B Lottery Reform: Merit and Wage Weighting (2026 Rule)

• A pending DHS regulation aims to replace the random H-1B lottery with points-based selection, prioritizing:
  • Higher wages
  • Advanced degrees in shortage fields
  • U.S. institutions with federal research partnerships
• While framed as “fairness,” analysts warn it will disadvantage humanities and education graduates, reducing diversity.

C. Ending “Duration of Status” for F-1 and J-1 Students

• A DHS proposal (Aug 2025) seeks to eliminate duration of status (D/S) and impose fixed stay limits:
  • 4 years for most students
  • 2 years for “sensitive-country” nationals
• Grace periods would shrink from 60 to 30 days, and extensions would require formal USCIS filings instead of DSO authorization.
• Missing an extension could cause immediate unlawful presence accrual and three-/ten-year reentry bars.

Impact:

• Students lose flexibility to extend programs or change majors.
• Universities face new administrative burdens tracking expirations.

D. FDNS Site Visit Expansion: OPT, CPT, and H-1B

• The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) broadened its Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP) in mid-2025 to cover:
  • OPT and STEM-OPT host employers
  • CPT internship placements
  • All H-1B employers
• Inspectors now verify:
  • Worksite legitimacy
  • Job duties
  • Wage and supervision details
• Violations can lead to petition revocation, SEVIS termination, or employer blacklisting.

Impact:

• Employers fear penalties; many avoid student hires.
• Students risk losing status if their job site fails inspection.

E. Social Media and AI-Based Screening Expansion

• Visa adjudications now integrate AI models analyzing applicant speech and affiliations, cross-referencing public and semi-public data.
• Officials may issue denials for vague “pattern-based concerns,” increasing perceived arbitrariness and litigation risk.

Consequences for the U.S. Higher Education Sector

Institutional Impact

Academic & Research Effects

• Many STEM master’s programs rely on international master’s students for teaching and research assistantships.
• Shrinking intakes are forcing labs to scale back projects and delay NSF/NIH deliverables.
• Several universities report reduced PhD applications and difficulty sustaining research pipelines. International students also help support universities’ ability to provide financial aid for domestic students, making their contributions vital to institutional operations. Additionally, they pay full tuition, which is a critical revenue source for many institutions.

Economic Fallout

Each international student contributes ~$38,000 annually in tuition and living expenses.

A 15% population decline could withdraw over $7 billion from the U.S. economy. The decline in international students arriving has already begun to impact local economies, with fewer students leading to reduced spending and demand for housing and services.

Communities like Ann Arbor, Urbana, and Amherst—where foreign students make up 20–30% of local renters—are already seeing vacancies and retail slowdowns. Additionally, international students contributed $46.1 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2024-25 academic year, underscoring their critical economic role. Their presence supports numerous jobs and local economies around universities, further amplifying their importance. A significant recovery in international student numbers is needed to restore economic stability for these communities.

Affected Programs

The sharp decline in international student enrollment is reverberating across a wide range of academic programs and institutions in the U.S. Graduate programs, especially those in STEM fields, are among the hardest hit, as international students have historically comprised a significant portion of their student bodies. According to the Institute of International Education, more than 80% of international students enrolled in U.S. graduate schools pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. As the number of international students drops, universities are seeing fewer graduate students available to fill research and teaching assistantships, which can slow innovation and disrupt ongoing projects.

Smaller colleges, including arts-focused schools and private Christian colleges, are also feeling the impact. Many of these institutions rely on international students who pay full tuition, helping to offset financial pressures from declining domestic enrollment. The loss of these students can lead to budget shortfalls, program cuts, and even hiring freezes. As enrollment continues to decline, both large research universities and smaller schools face difficult decisions about the future of their programs and the services they can offer. The overall reduction in international student enrollment threatens the diversity, financial stability, and academic excellence that have long defined U.S. higher education.

Role of Educators

International educators are on the front lines of supporting international students and sustaining international education in the U.S. As the landscape becomes more challenging, their role is more important than ever. International educators can help prospective students navigate the complex student visa process, offering guidance on documentation, interview preparation, and how to secure expedited visa appointments when possible. By providing accurate information and support, they help reduce uncertainty for student visa applicants and encourage more students to consider U.S. colleges and universities.

Beyond direct student support, international educators are also key advocates for policies that promote international student enrollment. They work with university leadership to develop strategies for attracting and retaining international students, such as expanding recruitment efforts, offering virtual advising, and creating welcoming campus environments. By raising awareness of the benefits of international education—both for students and for the broader society—educators help ensure that the U.S. remains a top destination for global talent. Their efforts are essential to reversing the current decline and maintaining the country’s leadership in international education.

Association Involvement

The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) is playing a pivotal role in addressing the challenges facing international student enrollment. As the leading association for international educators, NAFSA has been vocal in urging the State Department to provide expedited visa appointments and streamline processing for student visa applicants. The association regularly communicates with policymakers to highlight the urgent need for efficient student visa processing and to minimize disruptions that could deter prospective students.

NAFSA’s executive director has emphasized the significant economic impact of international student enrollment, citing preliminary projections that warn of billions in lost revenue and tens of thousands of jobs at risk if the decline continues. Through research and advocacy, NAFSA provides universities and colleges with up-to-date data, best practices, and policy recommendations to help them navigate the current environment. By collaborating with the State Department and other stakeholders, the association of international educators is working to safeguard the future of international education in the U.S. and to ensure that institutions remain competitive in attracting students from around the world.

Community Impact

The decline in international student enrollment is not just a campus issue—it has far-reaching consequences for local communities across the United States. International students contribute significantly to local economies through tuition payments, housing, dining, transportation, and other living expenses. Recent data show that international students injected $46.1 billion into the U.S. economy during the 2024-2025 academic year, supporting thousands of jobs in education, retail, and service industries.

As enrollment drops, local businesses near colleges and universities are already feeling the effects, with fewer students renting apartments, shopping at stores, and dining out. The reduction in international students also means fewer cultural events and less diversity in communities, diminishing the vibrancy that these students bring. For many towns and cities, especially those that rely heavily on their college populations, the decline in international student enrollment represents both an economic and cultural loss. Supporting international students is essential not only for the health of universities but also for the prosperity and diversity of the communities they call home.

Why Students Are Looking Elsewhere

Key Deterrents in 2025

• Visa unpredictability: Missed terms and interview suspensions erode confidence.
• Post-study uncertainty: OPT and H-1B transitions seen as risky or unaffordable.
• Privacy risks: Social media vetting raises speech concerns.
• Fixed stays: Force early extensions and rigid planning.
• Employer hesitation: Fear of audits deters job offers.

Destination Diversion

• Canada: Offers automatic three-year post-study work permits and clear PR tracks.
• UK: Graduate Route allows 2–3 years of open work.
• Australia / Germany: Streamlined PR pathways and lower tuition. Many international students are opting to study in these countries due to perceptions of being more welcoming and offering clearer post-study work opportunities. There has also been a notable decline in students from South Korea, as well as other Asian countries, coming to the U.S. due to visa delays and recent policy changes.

**Immigration Lawyer Richard Herman: “**By late 2025, international students increasingly view the U.S. as unpredictable compared to Canada, the UK, and Australia.”

Policy Analysis: Systemic Effects

What Students and Schools Can Do Now

Students

• Apply early; anticipate 2–3 month longer visa wait times.
• Keep consistent records: passport, SEVIS, I-20, employment offers.
• Limit controversial public online content.
• Work only with verified E-Verify employers.
• Consult immigration counsel if facing termination, RFE, or unlawful presence notice.

Institutions

• Diversify intake to Latin America, Europe, and Africa.
• Add rolling start dates (January/April) to bypass summer bottlenecks.
• Strengthen SEVIS compliance tracking.
• Participate in public comment for pending DHS/USCIS rules.
• Collaborate through NAFSA, ACE, and AAU to coordinate advocacy.

Outlook for 2026: Recovery or Retrenchment?

Possible Scenarios

1. Litigation-driven rollback: Federal courts may pause or strike down certain DHS or State rules (e.g., D/S change).
2. Partial rebound: If visa processing normalizes and institutions adapt, modest enrollment growth may return.
3. Entrenchment: If all 2025 rules stand, analysts predict another 10–15% drop in 2026.

Long-term risk: The U.S. could permanently lose market share to Canada and Europe, especially in high-demand STEM programs.

FAQs: Why Are Fewer New International Students Coming to the U.S. in 2025?

What do recent data show about the decline in international students in 2025?Recent data from August–October 2025 show a sharp decline in new international student arrivals and enrollments across the U.S. Universities reported an average 2.4% national drop, with some campuses seeing 30% declines. Border and visa data confirmed that August 2025 arrivals fell 19% year-over-year, with Indian student arrivals down 45%, African students down 33%, and Chinese students down 12% compared to 2024. The NAFSA: Association of International Educators has been a key source in analyzing and projecting these economic and enrollment impacts, providing authoritative insight into the trends affecting international education.

What are the primary policy factors driving the 2025 decline in international students?The downturn stems from a mix of Trump administration policies rolled out in 2025, including:

• A temporary suspension of visa interviews (May–June 2025)
• Expanded social media and ideological screening
• SEVIS terminations and mass revocations of student status
• A proposed $100,000 H-1B filing fee for new work visas
• Plans to end “duration of status” for F-1 and J-1 students
• More FDNS site visits and compliance audits for OPT and CPT
• Institutional “integrity compacts” capping international enrollment

These measures collectively increased cost, risk, and unpredictability for incoming students.

Why did the U.S. suspend visa interviews in 2025?In May 2025, the State Department paused all new F, M, and J visa interviews to update its vetting systems. When interviews resumed, officers implemented enhanced background checks and expanded social media reviews. The three-week suspension disrupted summer intake cycles, forcing many students to miss fall term start dates or defer admission.

How have new social media screening rules affected applicants?Starting mid-2025, visa officers began reviewing additional social media accounts and digital activity. Applicants could be denied visas for vague “integrity” or “security” reasons. This chilling effect discouraged prospective students who fear misinterpretation of lawful online speech or affiliations.

What is the impact of visa revocations and SEVIS terminations?Since spring 2025, over 1,800 student visas or SEVIS records have been revoked or terminated under “integrity” and “national security” grounds. These mid-program cancellations forced students into abrupt departures or reinstatement petitions, amplifying perceptions that U.S. study carries arbitrary enforcement risk.

How has the proposed $100,000 H-1B fee changed perceptions of U.S. study?The new $100,000 supplemental fee for new H-1B petitions, announced in September 2025, makes sponsoring international graduates prohibitively expensive for most employers. This undermines a key reason many students choose the U.S.—the ability to transition from OPT to H-1B employment after graduation.

How do proposed H-1B lottery reforms affect future international graduates?A pending 2026 rule would replace the random H-1B lottery with a merit- or wage-weighted system, favoring high-paying jobs and certain STEM fields. Students in lower-salaried sectors—such as education, arts, or nonprofits—may face near-zero selection odds, making the U.S. a less appealing study destination.

What is the ‘end of duration of status’ proposal and why is it controversial?Under current rules, most F-1/J-1 students are admitted for “duration of status,” allowing flexible program changes. A DHS proposal (August 2025) seeks to replace this with fixed 2–4 year stays, after which students must file extensions with USCIS. Critics say this will create bureaucratic hurdles, shorten grace periods, and increase unlawful presence risks for technical overstays.

Why are site visits and compliance checks increasing for OPT, CPT, and H-1B students?The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) expanded its Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program in 2025 to include OPT and STEM-OPT employers, CPT internships, and H-1B sponsors. Inspectors now verify job duties, wages, and worksite legitimacy. Employers failing compliance could trigger visa revocations for students, prompting many to avoid hiring them altogether.

What are “institutional integrity compacts,” and how do they affect universities?In October 2025, the White House issued draft “compacts” conditioning federal funding on:

• Capping international undergraduates at 15%
• Limiting any one nationality to 5%
• Accepting government oversight audits Universities warn this undermines academic autonomy and financial stability, especially for schools dependent on international tuition.

How have visa backlogs and processing delays contributed to the decline?Due to the 2025 vetting overhaul and reduced consular staffing, visa interview wait times in India, China, and Nigeria extended into 8–10 weeks. Many students received visas after term start dates, forcing them to defer or cancel enrollment. Such uncertainty pushes students toward destinations with guaranteed start timelines, like Canada or the UK.

How has increased scrutiny on social media and ideology affected student decision-making?Students—especially those from politically sensitive countries—report self-censorship, deleting posts or closing accounts before interviews. This perceived loss of privacy and free expression runs counter to U.S. values and tarnishes its educational brand. As a result, many students seeking international education are now considering alternative destinations where policy changes are less restrictive.

NAFSA projects that a 15% drop in total international student numbers could cost the U.S. $7 billion in revenue and eliminate 60,000 jobs in education, housing, and local economies. Universities in smaller cities are already cutting staff and scaling back programs as international tuition revenue declines. Many colleges are also experiencing budget cuts in response to declining enrollment and increased financial pressures, further straining their operations. The number of new students arriving in 2025 has notably declined, compounding these financial and operational challenges.

Which universities are reporting the sharpest declines in 2025?

• DePaul University (IL): 30% overall drop; 62% fewer first-year international grads
• Indiana University–Indianapolis: 26% decline
• SUNY Buffalo: ~750 fewer international students
• Smaller Midwest and Southern schools: double-digit declines While elite institutions have been more resilient, regional publics and graduate-heavy campuses have been hit hardest.

Which nationalities saw the largest declines in 2025?

• India: −45% arrivals (August 2025)
• Africa (aggregate): −33%
• China: −12%
• Brazil and Mexico: small but growing declines due to interview delays Meanwhile, Canada, the UK, and Australia report double-digit increases in Indian and Nigerian enrollment.

What role do FDNS and SEVIS enforcement trends play in discouraging applicants?Expanded FDNS audits and unpredictable SEVIS terminations increase compliance burdens for students and universities. The perception that status can be revoked mid-program without cause has fueled global skepticism about U.S. stability as a study destination.

How do fixed visa durations compare to ‘duration of status’ in other countries?Competitor nations like Canada and the UK admit students for entire programs plus post-study periods, with minimal extensions. The U.S. proposal to limit admission to 2–4 years with reapplication adds cost, bureaucracy, and uncertainty, putting American universities at a competitive disadvantage.

What long-term risks does this decline pose for the U.S.?Experts warn of a potential “talent deficit” as STEM graduate pipelines shrink. International students historically contribute disproportionately to U.S. research output, startups, and patents. Prolonged deterrence could weaken America’s innovation ecosystem and global influence.

Could these declines be reversed if policies change?Yes—but recovery would likely be slow and uneven. Restoring confidence requires:

• Predictable visa timelines
• Clear work authorization pathways
• Reduced compliance risk for OPT/CPT
• Transparent and limited ideological screening

Without reform, analysts project another 10–15% decline in 2026.

What can prospective students do to protect themselves under current policies?

• Apply early for visa appointments
• Track SEVIS updates and document all records
• Use authorized employers for OPT/CPT
• Avoid overstays; file extensions before expiry
• Consult immigration attorneys if facing termination or revocation

How are U.S. universities responding to the enrollment drop?Institutions are:

• Increasing recruitment in Latin America and Africa
• Adding January/April start terms
• Lobbying against restrictive DHS proposals
• Building overseas campuses to reach students locally
• Partnering with NAFSA, ACE, and AAU for coordinated advocacy

Are there lawsuits challenging these 2025 policies?Yes. Multiple universities and advocacy groups have filed or announced plans to challenge:

• The end of duration of status rule (DHS proposal, Aug 2025)
• The H-1B $100,000 fee as arbitrary and punitive
• The federal enrollment cap memo as unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment

Outcomes will determine whether enforcement eases by mid-2026.

What does the future hold for international education in the U.S.?If restrictive policies persist, 2025–2026 may mark a permanent shift in global study flows. Unless the U.S. restores transparency, affordability, and post-study opportunities, Canada, the UK, and Australia could surpass America in attracting international talent.

Call to Action — Speak with Attorney Richard T. Herman

If you’re a current or prospective international student worried about:

• visa denials or revocations,
• reinstatement or SEVIS termination,
• OPT or CPT compliance, or
• uncertainty from new 2025–26 rules,

consult Attorney Richard T. Herman, a 30-year U.S. immigration lawyer, co-author of Immigrant, Inc., and advocate for the economic power of immigration.

Book a consultation today:
👉 LawFirm4Immigrants.com/book-consultation

MORE RESOURCES

Government / Institutional Data & Policy

• IIE / Open Doors — Enrollment Trends & Data Tables
  Comprehensive historical data on international student enrollment, by country, academic level, etc. (Open Doors Enrollment Trends)
• NAFSA — Fall 2025 Enrollment Outlook & Economic Impact Report
  Scenario modeling projecting a 15% overall decline, ~$7 billion revenue loss, and job impacts. (NAFSA Fall 2025 Outlook)
• NAFSA — International Student Economic Value Tool v2
  Interactive tool showing contributions, economic impact, and state-level breakdowns. (NAFSA Economic Value Tool)
• AAU — SEVIS Data Shows Declining Number of International Students
  Report by the Association of American Universities showing a ~11.33% decline in SEVIS student count March 2024 to March 2025. (AAU SEVIS Decline Report)
• U.S. State Department / Reuters – Suspension of Student Visa Appointment Scheduling
  Coverage and confirmation of the Trump administration halting new student visa interview scheduling in May 2025. (Reuters on visa appointment halt)
• Reuters – How Many Foreign Students Are at U.S. Colleges?
  Interactive data tool showing foreign student counts by institution. (Reuters Foreign Student Counts)
• Reuters – Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Admin From Revoking Harvard Enrollment
  Legal update on attempts to restrict Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students. (Reuters – Harvard enrollment block)

Professional Associations & Research Coverage

• Inside Higher Ed — “International Student Enrollment Could Drop 15% This Fall”
  Summary and interpretation of NAFSA/JB projections regarding fall 2025 decline. (Inside Higher Ed Enrollment Drop)
• Higher Ed Dive — “150K Fewer International Students This Fall?”
  Commentary on projected 30–40% drop and its implications. (HigherEd Dive Projection)
• Forbes — “International Students Could Drop by 150,000 This Fall”
  Financial and institutional analysis based on NAFSA modeling. (Forbes Student Drop Forecast)
• Common Dreams — U.S. Colleges Could Lose Up to 150K International Students
  Commentary on policy drivers and downstream effects. (Common Dreams Enrollment Loss)
• Reuters — “Universities Seek to Lure U.S.-Bound Students Amid Trump Crackdown”
  Coverage of how global universities attempt to adjust to U.S. policy shifts. (Reuters – lure students amid crackdown)
• Reuters — “‘Good Days Are Over’: Chinese Students Despair as U.S. Cracks Down on Visas”
  Profiles how visa limits and enforcement affect Chinese students’ plans. (Reuters – Chinese student visa pressure)
• Reuters — Trump Administration Blocks Harvard from Enrolling Foreign Students
  Reporting on efforts to disqualify Harvard as a student visa host. (Reuters Harvard block)
• Reuters — Trump’s Attack on Harvard’s Foreign Students Targets University Revenue
  Analysis of how Harvard’s foreign student share fuels institutional finances and why it is being targeted. (Reuters Harvard revenue target)
• Reuters — Sustainable Switch: Trump’s Escalating Battle Against Harvard
  Feature story on the broader implications of restricting Harvard’s international students. (Reuters Harvard battle)
• The Guardian — “Small U.S. College Towns Reel Amid Trump Immigration Crackdown”
  Local perspective on how declines in international students reshape small college towns like Oxford, Ohio. (Guardian small towns impact)
• Akron Legal News — “Fewer International Students Are Coming to the U.S., Costing Universities”
  Regional legal/education coverage of projected 30–40% enrollment drop and economic figures. (Akron Legal News drop cost)