NAFSA in the News

The World: International Student Restrictions Could Cost the US Billions 
New immigration measures are discouraging students from choosing the United States, putting at risk the billions of dollars they contribute annually to tuition, housing, and local economies. Analysts warn that declining enrollment will weaken both higher education institutions and the communities that rely on these students’ presence.

Hearst Television: International Student Enrollment Drops in U.S. Amid Policy Changes [aired on WMUR-TV (Manchester, NH); WCVB-TV (Boston, MA)]
Policy shifts have created uncertainty for international students, leading to steep enrollment declines across campuses nationwide. The resulting financial and academic challenges are forcing institutions to reconsider how they attract and retain global talent.

US News & World Report: FAQ: What International Students Should Know About Trump's Travel Ban 
This guide explains how the Trump administration’s travel bans affected students from several Muslim-majority countries, including limits on visa issuance and entry. It also addresses legal challenges, exceptions, and the uncertainty caused by heightened vetting, which left many students unsure about traveling or continuing their studies.

Chemistry World: Proposal to Limit US Student Visa Durations Draws Criticism
A Department of Homeland Security proposal seeks to impose fixed time limits on student visas, replacing the long-standing “duration of status” system that allowed students to remain for the length of their academic programs. Universities, researchers, and higher education advocates warn that the change would discourage talented students from choosing the United States, increase uncertainty for those pursuing multi-year degrees or research projects, and create new layers of bureaucratic oversight.

Buffalo News: Editorial Board: International Student Roadblocks Stifle Talent and Hurt Revenue
International student roadblocks are cutting off a vital stream of talent and tuition revenue for New York campuses, leaving institutions less competitive globally. Reduced enrollment not only weakens university budgets but also limits the state’s ability to attract high-skilled workers and sustain industries that depend on international expertise.

Bridge Michigan: Michigan May Lose Millions as Universities See Drop in International Students 
Enrollment of international students nationwide is projected to fall by up to 40 percent, with visa delays and a travel ban being key contributing factors. A new policy allows the State Department to vet social media before issuing visas, compounding processing delays. Michigan could lose nearly $230 million as a result of decreased student enrollment, contributing to the national projected shortfall of approximately $7 billion.

Other Key International Education Stories

NBC News: Colleges Face Financial Struggles as Trump Policies Send International Enrollment Plummeting
Sharp declines in international enrollment are driving major budget shortfalls at colleges across the country, leading to staff layoffs and program cuts. Administrators caution that without a reversal of policy, the financial consequences could permanently reshape the higher education landscape.

CNN: Universities Targeted by Trump Have More than Doubled Their Spending on Lobbying in the Last Year
Universities singled out by the Trump administration have sharply increased their spending on lobbying, more than doubling it in the past year. Records show that institutions are investing heavily to protect international student programs and secure research funding.

USA Today: DHS Proposes New Rule to Limit How Long International Students Can Remain in the US
A proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security would replace the open-ended “duration of status” system with fixed visa expiration dates, forcing students to frequently reapply if their programs extend beyond the limit. Critics argue the policy would deter global talent, add bureaucratic hurdles, and create uncertainty for students pursuing longer degrees or research commitments.

Politico: Trump Defends Policy on Chinese International Students
The administration is defending restrictions on Chinese students by arguing that they are necessary to prevent espionage, safeguard research, and protect sensitive technologies. University leaders and policy experts argue that the measures cast too wide a net, discouraging legitimate scholars, undermining scientific collaboration, and reducing the flow of highly skilled talent that benefits U.S. research and innovation.

The Hill: 600,000 Chinese College Students Admitted to the US? Don’t Count on it.
Although China has long sent more students to U.S. universities than any other country, mounting political tensions and new security concerns are limiting future numbers. Experts argue that restrictions will sever academic ties, cost universities millions in lost tuition, and further strain U.S.-China relations.

NAFSA in the News

The Intercept: Accepted at Universities, Unable to Get Visas: Inside Trump’s War on International Students
Thousands of students who had earned admission to American universities found themselves blocked by new visa restrictions, leaving seats empty and families in turmoil. The crackdown has not only disrupted individual lives but also deprived campuses of tuition revenue and global perspectives.

Texas Tribune: Texas Universities Could See Fewer International Students Amid Immigration Crackdown, Reports Say 
Texas universities are warning of steep enrollment losses as stricter visa rules, work limitations, and political rhetoric make the U.S. less attractive to prospective students. Administrators say fewer international students could mean multimillion-dollar budget gaps, reduced cultural diversity, and setbacks to research collaborations.

WBUR-FM: For International Students, It's Back to School But Not Back to Normal (NPR member station, Boston, MA)
International students returning to U.S. campuses are navigating a fragile landscape shaped by shifting visa policies, limited work opportunities, and financial strain from rising costs and currency fluctuations. Many describe feeling anxious about their future in the country, saying the constant uncertainty erodes their ability to focus on studies and fully participate in campus communities.

Other Key International Education Stories

The Guardian: ‘Everyone is Coming into Fire’: Students Return to US Campuses Bruised and Changed by Trump’s Assault
Students returning to campus describe an atmosphere marked by fear, division, and exhaustion after years of immigration crackdowns, cuts to research funding, and efforts to dismantle diversity and inclusion programs. Faculty and administrators caution that these policies have left deep scars on student well-being and campus culture, with long-term risks for academic freedom, global exchange, and the sense of belonging in higher education.

NPR Marketplace: Colleges brace for a harsh new reality as higher ed recession — or depression — looms
With falling enrollments, rising costs, and a shrinking pool of traditional college-age students, many universities are entering what some economists call a “higher ed depression.” Campuses are responding by consolidating departments, cutting jobs, and experimenting with new models to stay financially viable.

Fox News: Trump Opens Door to 600,000 Chinese Students Amid Beijing Trade Talks
As trade talks with Beijing intensify, Trump signaled openness to maintaining access for Chinese students, recognizing their tuition contributions and role in academic research. The announcement underscores how higher education has become entangled in geopolitics, with students positioned as both assets and bargaining chips.

Christian Science Monitor: The US Used to be a Haven for Research. Now, Scientists are Packing their Bags.
Scientists point to shrinking federal research budgets, restrictive visa policies, and political hostility toward expertise as reasons the U.S. is losing its status as the premier destination for scientific careers. Competitor nations like Canada, Germany, and China are taking advantage, offering stable funding and residency pathways to lure away top talent. 

Oswego County News: SUNY Oswego Experience Abroad in South Korea, Taiwan Supports Preparation for Micron
Students at SUNY Oswego are engaging in study abroad programs in South Korea and Taiwan that give them firsthand experience with global technology industries. Officials frame these opportunities as essential preparation for careers tied to Micron’s major semiconductor expansion in New York.

NAFSA in the News

New York Times: Trump’s Tactics Mean Many International Students Won’t Make It to Campus 
With visa appointments canceled and rules shifting midstream, many international students have been left in limbo as the fall semester approaches. College leaders caution that these disruptions are eroding trust in the U.S. as a stable study destination.

Forbes: Immigration Data Show Steep Decline In Arriving International Students 
Federal immigration records show a sharp fall in new student arrivals, particularly from countries that have historically sent the largest numbers to U.S. campuses. The trend raises concerns that American universities could lose ground to competitors abroad that are actively welcoming students.

CNN: US State Department Has Revoked More than 6,000 Student Visas, Official Says 
Thousands of international students have lost their visas under recent enforcement actions, raising fears of sudden disruption to their studies and lives in the U.S. The move has drawn criticism from universities and policy experts who warn of lasting damage to America’s higher education system.

The Guardian: ‘It Felt Like My Dreams had Collapsed’: International Students React to Trump Policy Shift
Students from around the world described feeling blindsided by sudden U.S. immigration restrictions that cast doubt on whether they could complete their studies or remain in the country legally. Many said they had invested years of savings and effort only to face a reality where their education, careers, and sense of belonging were collapsing overnight.

Inside Higher Ed: Survey: International Student Demand Remains High for Now, Despite Federal Changes
Survey data indicate that international students still see U.S. degrees as prestigious and valuable, with strong demand across key sending countries. Yet campus leaders worry that continued policy barriers could turn temporary challenges into long-term declines, leaving institutions exposed to financial strain.

Axios:  The Cost of Losing Virginia's International Students 
International students in Virginia contribute billions to the state economy through tuition, housing, and consumer spending, while also supporting thousands of jobs. Declines in enrollment could trigger financial strain on universities and ripple effects across local economies that depend heavily on student-driven commerce.

Go Local Prov: Estimate: Trump’s Policies on International Students a $44M Hit to RI’s Economy 
Rhode Island stands to lose more than $44 million in tuition payments, rent, and consumer spending as international enrollment declines. Universities, landlords, and small businesses are all expected to feel the effects as fewer students arrive. Advocates stress that the financial fallout is not limited to campuses but ripples through the entire state economy.

Texas Public Radio: Texas Universities Could Lose Thousands of International Students, Millions of Dollars
University officials across Texas warn that visa restrictions could push away thousands of international students, drying up tuition revenue that sustains classrooms, labs, and campus jobs. Beyond campus, business leaders fear ripple effects in local economies that rely on student spending.

Cal Matters: Immigrant Students Shape California’s Future. Don’t Close the Door on Them
California’s economy and workforce depend heavily on immigrant and international students who contribute talent, tuition, and cultural diversity. New restrictions on visas and federal policy shifts threaten to undermine this pipeline, with ripple effects across education and industry.

Other Key International Education Stories

Washington Post: Trump Administration to Vet all 55 Million Foreigners with U.S. Visas
A sweeping new policy requires comprehensive screening of all foreign nationals with U.S. visas, vastly expanding the scope of government oversight. Critics warn that the measure could overburden agencies, delay processing, and strain diplomatic relations while offering questionable security benefits.

The PIE News: Trump’s Study Abroad Cuts: a View from the Inside
Anonymous staff members inside the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs described being blindsided by the Trump administration’s sudden cancellation of $100 million in study abroad funding, learning of the cuts through indirect channels rather than official communication. They warn that the move undermines access for underrepresented students, damages morale within the agency, and risks weakening U.S. diplomatic and economic ties over the long term.