Latest Updates
Marco Rubio has been sworn in as Secretary of State and Kristi Noem has been sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security. Click "Cabinet Picks" to see President Trump's nominees to head the Departments of Labor, Education, and Justice, as well as acting appointments during the transition.
Access numerous immigration-related executive orders, an executive order calling for the end of end of government and government-funded DEI programs, and an executive order issued on "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism" on campuses.
Current Policies
Executive and Regulatory Actions Under the Second Trump Administration
This NAFSA page links to executive actions by the President and administrative actions by federal agencies that relate to international education, during the Trump-Vance administration. Now updated with:
- Numerous immigration-related executive orders, executive orders calling for the end of government and government-funded DEI programs, and executive orders affecting gender-based distinctions.
- January 20, 2025 DHS rescission of a 2021 guidance memo that had limited enforcement actions in protected protected areas like schools and colleges, hospitals or churches.
- DOS halts processing of passport applications that request a gender marker of "X" pursuant to an executive order issued on January 20, 2025.
- January 31, 2025. NAFSA's liaison partners at DOS have informed NAFSA that nonimmigrant visa issuance in Colombia has now resumed. Press reports confirm.
- A January 27, 2025 memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) required "Federal agencies to identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the President’s policies and requirements," and to suspend distribution of this funding while the review is underway. The funding pause was set to go into effect on January 28, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, but was temporarily blocked by litigation. Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director for the Office of Management and Budget, then notified federal agencies that the memo freezing aid had been rescinded.
- On January 23, 2025, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman signed a "Finding of Mass Influx of Aliens."
- President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law on January 29, 2025.
- A January 29, 2025 executive order on "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism" on campuses.
- An executive order attempting to alter birthright citizenship is halted by nationwide preliminary injunctions.
- On February 7, 2025 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) imposed a 15% cap on the "indirect cost" rate for all NIH grants. On February 10, 2025, in a case filed by 22 U.S. states, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order temporarily blocking implementation of the directive.
NAFSA Statements and Commentary
NAFSA Joins Higher Education Letter to Secretary Rubio Outlining Key Priorities
On February 3rd, NAFSA joined the American Council on Education and 29 other higher education associations in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, congratulating him on his recent confirmation and addressing key priorities for higher education. The letter emphasized concerns about visa processing delays and denials that could discourage international students from choosing U.S. institutions, and reiterated U.S. higher education’s commitment to collaborating on national security concerns while protecting beneficial global academic exchange.
Priorities for the Trump-Vance Administration
NAFSA remains committed to its long-standing priorities of ensuring the global competency of U.S. college graduates through expanding access to study abroad and attracting and retaining the best and brightest international talent.
IE30 with Dr. Fanta Aw: Charting a Course in the New Political Environment
On January 22 NAFSA CEO Dr. Fanta Aw and policy experts examined the path forward for international education. In this month's #IE30 discussion we were joined by NAFSA board member Ahmad Ezzeddine and Jill Allen Murray and Rachel Banks of NAFSA's Public Policy team to explore priorities, resources, and collaborative opportunities for strengthening the field in this political environment.
Regulatory Perspectives: Regulatory Practice and the New Presidential Administration
Join NAFSA staff members David Fosnocht and Steve Springer on February 13 at 2:00 p.m Eastern for a discussion of student and scholar advising and the new presidential administration. We’ll discuss vehicles an administration can use to effect change, review interests of the prior Trump administration that may be revived, and describe steps you may take to avoid problems. We’ll also note sources you may use to keep up with developments and explain how you can get involved in NAFSA’s advocacy efforts. We also want to hear from you. What are your concerns? What can NAFSA do to support your work during this administration? Register today.
IE30 with Dr. Fanta Aw - Postelection Town Hall
In a November 14, 2024 panel on LinkedIn, "IE30: Postelection Town Hall," panelists Fanta Aw, LaNitra Berger, Stuart Anderson, and Jill Allen Murray discussed discuss the outcome of the U.S. elections and the potential impact on the international education community.
NAFSA Responds to the Election of Donald Trump
Statement by Dr. Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, on November 6, 2024. “For more than 75 years, NAFSA has advocated for policies that expand the reach and impact of international education. We remain committed to educating the incoming administration and Congress on the regulatory changes and policies that will strengthen the field and extend opportunities for global learning."
Policy Digest
NAFSA 2024 Policy Digest
A chronological compilation of U.S. government policy and regulatory developments and related advocacy activities.
Resource Compendium
Helpful Related Resources
Helpful resources from NAFSA and others on initiatives under the Trump-Vance Administration