After declining during the Covid-19 pandemic, international student enrollment in the U.S. has started recovering—a welcome development for American universities reliant on their tuition fees. Just two months after the inauguration of President Trump’s administration, educators expressed concerns about potential shifts in this trend.
Disturbed by attempts to expel students due to their political beliefs, international students who are already in the United States now feel an increased urge to be cautious with their speech.
A doctoral candidate at the University of Rochester originating from South Asia mentioned feeling excessively vulnerable discussing LGBTQ+ issues, which they previously advocated for publicly, or potentially being spotted participating in a political protest. Given the rumors about potential travel restrictions, she is unlikely to return home over the summer due to concerns that her entry might be barred upon her attempt to come back to the United States.
The reason you’re here is to receive an education, so you must continue progressing academically," stated the student, requesting confidentiality due to concerns over potential repercussions from officials. "However, it’s quite challenging to simply switch off and ignore what’s happening in the news when you’re meant to focus on your job.
Instructors are concerned about striking this delicate balance as it might deter international students. With the U.S. government adopting stricter stances on immigration, reducing federal research grants, and starting to monitor campus activities, students find themselves questioning whether they can secure visas, move around without restrictions, conduct their research, or voice their opinions freely.
Such actions create a chilling effect," stated Clay Harmon, who serves as the executive director of AIRC—a group dedicated to attracting and admitting international students. "Even without immediate repercussions or restrictions, these cumulative measures collectively suggest that the United States might appear unwelcoming, non-inclusive, or potentially risky for those considering coming here.
On a recent visit to India, which sends the most students to the United States, recruiters agreed that interest from Indian students in attending U.S. universities has significantly declined compared to previous years, according to Harmon.
Certain students are awaiting the outcomes of policy modifications, whereas some others have postponed their admissions until Fall 2025, he mentioned. The student community remains highly engaged online, with information regarding immigration updates in the United States—such as a GOP suggestion to bar Chinese students from studying here—circulating rapidly through these channels.
Students from Canada, China, India, and other countries have turned to platforms like Reddit and various social media channels to seek guidance and solutions. They are contemplating whether they should proceed with their plans for colleges in the U.S., or consider universities in the UK, Germany, or other parts of Europe instead.
International students are highly sought after as a solution to dwindling local enrollments and as a means to collect full-tuition fees. During the 2023-2024 academic year, approximately 1.1 million overseas students attending American higher educational institutions injected a record-breaking sum of $43.8 billion into the country’s economy, supporting over 378,000 employment opportunities, figures from NAFSA—an organization advocating for global education—reveal.
Fanta Aw, who leads NAFSA, stated that international graduate students significantly contribute to the progress of research.
Aw stated that universities should strive to emphasize to potential students that detentions such as those experienced by a pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University and, more recently, a scholar at Georgetown University, do not typically represent the standard experience, even though these cases attract significant attention.
She stated, “We have international students enrolled in many universities,” adding that media attention has been primarily directed towards the impacts on international students at only a few institutions. “Therefore, it’s important to recognize that the overwhelming number of students attend universities where these issues aren’t being widely discussed.”
The communication from colleges and universities regarding the shifting political landscape has been inconsistent. For instance, some institutions like Northeastern University in Boston have addressed Trump's policies by creating dedicated web pages to update both current and potential students.
"Our international community will keep being an inclusive space for accepted students hailing from every part of the globe," stated spokeswoman Renata Nyul through email.
Other institutions have taken more stringent measures. Bunker Hill Community College in Boston has halted its short-term study abroad programs lasting from one to two weeks due to worries over possible travel limitations. Additionally, administrators at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism have cautioned non-U.S. citizen students regarding their increased risk of arrest or deportation.
Brown University has recommended that international students and employees, such as those with visas and permanent residency status, delay their travels following the deportation of a Brown professor to Lebanon even though they possessed a U.S. visa. Authorities from Homeland Security subsequently stated that the professor had "publicly acknowledged" backing a Hezbollah leader and participating in his memorial service.