Latest news with #InstituteofInternationalEducation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
As Trump takes aim at international students, these colleges have the most to lose
Since President Trump returned to office, some of the most aggressive actions taken by his administration have centered around two issues: immigration and higher education. He has launched a nationwide mass deportation program that has defied courts and stretched the bounds of his constitutional authority. He has also targeted some of the nation's most prestigious colleges, revoking billions of dollars in federal funding while trying to strong-arm them into overhauling how they operate. Students who have come to the United States for college have found themselves at the center of both of these ongoing ideological battles, forced to deal with the whiplash of changing policies, a barrage of court orders and rampant uncertainty about whether they'll be able to continue their education in this country. In the past few months, more than 1,800 international students attending nearly 300 universities have had their visas revoked by the State Department — only to see that decision abruptly reversed. Multiple foreign students have been detained for weeks by immigration authorities because of their political activities. The administration has tried to revoke Harvard's right to host international students but has so far been blocked by a court order. On Tuesday, the Trump administration ordered U.S. embassies worldwide to pause visa interviews for prospective students. It's unclear how long that pause might be in effect or how the administration's new procedures might affect the number of international students who end up coming to the U.S. next year. What is certain is that America's longstanding position as a coveted destination for scholars from around the world has been upended. Students from other nations have been coming to study at American universities for more than 100 years, and their numbers have steadily grown over the course of the past century. During the 2023-24 school year, the U.S. was the top academic destination in the world, with a record-setting 1.1 million foreign students attending American colleges, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE). A number of past presidents have viewed international exchange programs as a way to build strong relationships with other nations. They understood that the 'best and brightest' students from all over the world would likely grow up to have great influence in their home nations and instilling them with a positive view of the United States could help with future diplomacy. 'We know that some other president, in other days, will be greeting you as either the prime ministers or the presidents or the first ladies of significant countries,' then-President John F. Kennedy Jr. told a group of foreign students in 1962. 'And I hope when you do that, you will say that you were at the White House once before.' As their numbers have grown, foreign students have also become increasingly important economically, both to the schools they attend and the surrounding communities. Last year, international students were responsible for adding $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported nearly 400,000 American jobs, according to estimates from the international education group NAFSA. The number of international students in the United States has nearly doubled over the past two decades, in large part because of their financial value to schools in the wake of the Great Recession. 'When particularly public colleges and state budgets were being cut, you could actually see how declines in state dollars going to colleges were being made up for with foreign enrollments. Those tuition dollars are pretty important to keeping the lights on,' Carolyn Beeler, a reporter for Inside Higher Ed, said in an interview with The World radio network last year. Many foreign students pay significantly more in tuition and fees than locals do. They are also far less likely to rely on financial aid or scholarships. Roughly 80% of international students cover the cost of attending college in the U.S. entirely on their own, which helps schools funnel more money to their American students. 'There's this perception that international students are coming here and that we are paying as Americans, and we're subsidizing them. But the fact is, it's really the reverse,' Beeler told The World. Hundreds of universities across the country have international students on their campuses, but they are especially important to some of the nation's most prestigious colleges. New York University had more than 27,000 foreign students enrolled during the last academic year, by far the most of any school. Elite schools in the Northeast and the West Coast also rank in the top 10 for foreign student enrollment, along with a few top-flight schools in the middle of the country. While foreign students are important wherever they attend, they are especially valuable in the places that they flock to in the highest numbers. California and New York, the top two states for international enrollment, both saw more than $6 billion in economic impact and over 50,000 jobs supported by visiting students during the last academic year, according to NAFSA data. There is already some evidence that international enrollment may have dipped significantly for the current academic year, which started during the final months of the Biden administration. It's too early to know how big of an impact the Trump administration's policies will have on the number of students who both choose to and are allowed to come to the United States for their education. The next school year doesn't start for a few months, and there will undoubtedly be new developments, court rulings and changes to official procedures between now and then.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
China slams US govt for revoking student visas, says will damage its image
China has opposed the US's decision to revoke visas for Chinese students, calling it 'politically motivated' and saying it 'exposes the hypocrisy behind the US's claims of freedom and openness'. Terming the move 'unjustified', China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian shared a post on X stating: 'The US decision to revoke Chinese student visas is fully unjustified. Citing ideology and national security as a pretext, the move seriously hurts the lawful rights and interests of international students from China and disrupts people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China firmly opposes this action and has protested to the US over the decision.' China warns move could harm America's global image Lin Jian further claimed that the decision is likely to damage the image and international reputation of the US. His remarks came shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that President Donald Trump's administration would work to 'aggressively revoke' visas of Chinese students linked to the Communist Party or those enrolled in 'critical fields '. US-China ties strained further amid trade tensions The announcement by Rubio follows a series of escalations in US-China relations, already strained by reciprocal tariffs introduced by President Trump. On April 2, Trump announced the imposition of tariffs on more than 100 countries, including China. While many nations rushed to negotiate deals to avoid penalties, China retaliated with its own tariffs on US-made goods. Chinese students remain a major international presence in US universities China is the second-largest source of international students in the US, after India. According to data from the Institute of International Education released last year, nearly 275,000 Chinese students enrolled in American institutions during the 2023–24 academic year. This is not the first time Chinese students have faced such visa scrutiny. In 2020, the Trump administration also attempted to cancel the visas of thousands of Chinese graduates believed to have ties to military-linked universities in China.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Move ‘political and discriminatory'
Beijing reacted in fury at the US government's vow to revoke Chinese students' visas, condemning President Donald Trump's crackdown on international scholars as 'political and discriminatory'. Trump's administration on Wednesday said it would remove permissions for Chinese students, one of the largest sources of revenue for American universities, in his latest broadside against US higher education. The United States will also revise visa criteria to tighten checks on all future applications from China and Hong Kong, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters. Blasting the United States for 'unreasonably' cancelling Chinese students' visas, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing had lodged its opposition with Washington. Rubio had upped the ante after China criticised his decision a day earlier to suspend visa appointments for students worldwide at least temporarily. The Trump administration has already sought to end permission for all international students at Harvard University, which has rebuffed pressure from the president related to student protests. Young Chinese people have long been crucial to US universities, which rely on international students paying full tuition. China sent 277,398 students in the 2023-24 academic year, although India for the first time in years surpassed it, according to a State Department-backed report of the Institute of International Education. Beijing's Mao on Wednesday said that China urged the United States to 'safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students, including those from China'. Rubio has already trumpeted the revocation of thousands of visas, largely to international students who were involved in activism critical of Israel. A cable signed by Rubio on Tuesday ordered US embassies and consulates not to allow 'any additional student or exchange visa ... appointment capacity until further guidance is issued' on ramping up screening of applicants' social media accounts. On Wednesday, Rubio heaped pressure on China, saying Washington will 'revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. 'We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong,' he said. But the slew of measures also threaten to pressure students from other countries. In Taiwan, a PhD student set to study in California complained of 'feeling uncertain' by the visa pause. 'I understand the process may be delayed but there is still some time before the semester begins in mid-August,' said the 27-year-old student who did not want to be identified. 'All I can do now is wait and hope for the best.' — AFP
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US to revoke Chinese students; visas: How it could disrupt the global talent flow
Visa policy shift could harm US STEM innovation and international education. (AI Image) The US government's reported plan to "aggressively" revoke visas for Chinese students, as stated by Senator Marco Rubio, has sent shockwaves through the international education community. In the 2023-24 academic year, 277,398 Chinese students were enrolled in US universities, making China the second-largest source of international students after India, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report by the Institute of International Education. This policy could reshape academic landscapes and global talent dynamics. Let's explores how visa revocations threaten to disrupt the flow of talent worldwide, affecting students, universities, and international collaboration. Chinese Students in the US Chinese students are a cornerstone of US higher education, contributing significantly to academic excellence, research innovation, and university budgets. In the 2022-23 academic year, they contributed approximately $15 billion to the US economy through tuition, housing, and other expenses, per a report by AmCham China. Historically, Chinese students made up the largest share of international students, peaking at 370,000 in 2018-19, but their numbers have declined by 4.2% from the previous year to 277,398 in 2023-24, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Past US-China tensions, such as the 2020 visa restrictions under the Trump administration targeting STEM fields for national security reasons, have contributed to this decline. Rubio's recent statement signals a potential escalation, raising questions about the scope and implementation of this policy. Immediate Impacts on Chinese Students Visa revocations would create immediate challenges for Chinese students. Those already enrolled may face interrupted studies, forced deportations, or inability to return after breaks. Prospective students could see applications denied or delayed, derailing academic and career plans. The financial burden—tuition losses and relocation costs—combined with emotional stress, would disproportionately affect students with limited resources, leaving many in limbo. With 56% of international students pursuing STEM fields, as noted in the Open Doors 2024 Report, Chinese students in these disciplines are particularly vulnerable to heightened scrutiny. Effects on US Universities US universities stand to lose significantly from this policy. The $15 billion in economic contributions from Chinese students supports scholarships, facilities, and faculty hiring. The broader international student population, including 1.12 million students in 2023-24, contributed $50 billion to the US economy and supported over 378,000 jobs, according to the Association of American Universities citing NAFSA data. A sharp decline in Chinese student enrollment could strain budgets, particularly for public institutions. In STEM fields, where Chinese students drive cutting-edge research, their absence risks slowing innovation. Universities may also lose global competitiveness as international talent seeks more welcoming destinations. Broader Implications for Global Talent Flow The ripple effects of visa revocations extend beyond the US Chinese students may increasingly choose countries like Canada, Australia, or the UK, which have seen rising applications from Asia. A 2023 survey by the China Institute of College Admission Counseling found that only one-third of Chinese students applied to institutions in one country, with 37% applying to two and 24% to three, driven by competitive tuition and post-graduation opportunities elsewhere. This shift could weaken US-China academic collaborations, hindering joint research on global challenges like climate change and technology. Over time, restricting talent flow may diminish the US's role as a hub for innovation, as other nations attract top scholars. Reactions and Perspectives US universities have expressed alarm, with the Association of American Universities, a coalition of leading research institutions, advocating for policies that balance security and openness, as highlighted in their 2024 report on international students' $43.8 billion economic impact. Chinese officials may frame the move as discriminatory, potentially retaliating with restrictions on US students or researchers. On platforms like X, reactions vary: some support the policy for security reasons, while others decry its impact on students and diplomacy. Education experts warn that isolating talent harms long-term global progress. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
HKFP
4 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
China condemns US President Donald Trump's ‘discriminatory' plan to revoke student visas
Beijing reacted in fury Thursday at the US government's vow to revoke Chinese students' visas, condemning President Donald Trump's crackdown on international scholars as 'political and discriminatory'. Trump's administration on Wednesday said it would 'aggressively' remove permissions for Chinese students, one of the largest sources of revenue for American universities, in his latest broadside against US higher education. The US will also revise visa criteria to tighten checks on all future applications from China and Hong Kong, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. Blasting the US for 'unreasonably' cancelling Chinese students' visas, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing had lodged its opposition with Washington. Rubio had upped the ante after China criticised his decision a day earlier to suspend visa appointments for students worldwide at least temporarily. The Trump administration has already sought to end permission for all international students at Harvard University, which has rebuffed pressure from the president related to student protests. Young Chinese people have long been crucial to US universities, which rely on international students paying full tuition. China sent 277,398 students in the 2023-24 academic year, although India for the first time in years surpassed it, according to a State Department-backed report of the Institute of International Education. Trump in his previous term also took aim at Chinese students but focused attention on those in sensitive fields or with explicit links with the military. Global uncertainty Beijing's Mao on Wednesday said that China urged the United States to 'safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students, including those from China.' Rubio has already trumpeted the revocation of thousands of visas, largely to international students who were involved in activism critical of Israel. A cable signed by Rubio on Tuesday ordered US embassies and consulates not to allow 'any additional student or exchange visa… appointment capacity until further guidance is issued' on ramping up screening of applicants' social media accounts. On Wednesday, Rubio heaped pressure on China, saying Washington will 'aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. 'We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong,' he said. But the slew of measures also threaten to pressure students from countries friendly to the United States. In Taiwan, a PhD student set to study in California complained of 'feeling uncertain' by the visa pause. 'I understand the process may be delayed but there is still some time before the semester begins in mid-August,' said the 27-year-old student who did not want to be identified. 'All I can do now is wait and hope for the best.' Protests at Harvard Trump is furious at Harvard for rejecting his administration's push for oversight on admissions and hiring, amid the president's claims the school is a hotbed of anti-Semitism and 'woke' liberal ideology. A judge paused the order to bar foreign students pending a hearing scheduled for Thursday, the same day as the university's graduation ceremony for which thousands of students and their families had gathered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The White House has also stripped Harvard, as well as other US universities widely considered among the world's most elite, of federal funding for research. 'The president is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programmes and state schools where they are promoting American values, but most importantly, educating the next generation based on skills that we need in our economy and our society,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News. Some Harvard students were worried that the Trump administration's policies would make US universities less attractive to international students. 'I don't know if I'd pursue a PhD here. Six years is a long time,' said Jack, a history of medicine student from Britain who is graduating this week and gave only a first name. Harvard has filed extensive legal challenges against Trump's measures.
