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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
US may lose 150,000 international students this fall, risking $7 billion in revenue
Agencies American universities may see international student enrollment decline by as many as 150,000 this fall, a development that could cost the US higher education sector nearly $7 billion and threaten over 60,000 jobs. This estimate comes from a new analysis by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International, based on recent data from the US Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and the State Department. The report attributes the expected drop to recent visa disruptions, executive orders, and scrutiny measures introduced by the Trump administration. Unless student visa issuances rebound sharply by August, the study warns of a 15% drop in total international enrollment. In the academic year 2023–24, US colleges hosted 1,126,690 international students — the highest number recorded, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report. These students made up 6% of the total US college population and included those on optional practical training (OPT), who stay for temporary employment related to their studies. International student numbers had recovered post-pandemic, increasing by 200,000 since the 2020 decline. But the new forecast signals that this growth could reverse. Key states face major financial losses According to the NAFSA report, a 30–40% drop in new foreign students would significantly impact several US states. California alone could lose over $1 billion, while New York's losses may be close to that figure. Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Florida could each see losses exceeding $200 million. Four factors behind the projected fall: Suspension of Visa Interviews: Student visa interviews were suspended between May 27 and June 18, 2025 — a peak period for issuances. Interviews have resumed, but consulates are now directed to scrutinize applicants' social media accounts more closely. Appointment Shortages: Limited or no visa appointments were reported in countries that are key sources of international students — including India, China, Nigeria, and Japan. Declining Visa Issuance: F-1 visa grants fell 12% year-on-year from January to April 2025 and 22% in May. Though June data is pending, a decline of up to 90% is anticipated. Visa Bans: A presidential executive order issued on June 4, 2025, imposed restrictions on applicants from 19 countries. A further 36 countries may be added, the report highlighted that international students often pay full tuition fees at private institutions and out-of-state fees at public universities. Their financial contribution helps US colleges subsidize costs for domestic said, 'The projected losses confirm higher education leaders' concerns that anti-immigration policies would have a chilling effect on enrollment and revenue.' Trump vs international students In the past few months, the Trump administration has revoked or terminated visas of hundreds to thousands of international students, particularly those perceived as sympathetic to pro‑Palestinian viewpoints. By April 2025, over 1,000 visas had been canceled, and the administration implemented a 'catch and revoke' strategy—scrutinizing social media for signs of support for groups like Hamas or antisemitic activity—to revoke existing student visas and block renewals. One high‑profile case involved Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, who was arrested by ICE without a warrant, drawing criticism for potential First Amendment late May 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US would 'aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those connected to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,' accompanied by enhanced social media vetting for F, M, and J visa applicants. At US consulates, student visa interviews were suspended temporarily during late May–mid June re‑opening with stricter rules, such as requiring applicants to make their social media profiles public for government review. These policies have heightened fears among prospective and current international students and contributed to a chilling effect on international academic engagement in the US. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Can Coforge's ambition to lead the IT Industry become a reality? BlackRock returns, this time with Ambani. Will it be lucky second time? Amazon is making stealthy moves in healthcare, here's why! The trader who blew the whistle on Jane Street Stock Radar: Globus Spirits breaks out from 9-month consolidation; check target & stop loss for long positions Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus These large-caps have 'strong buy' & 'buy' recos and an upside potential of more than 25% Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and upside potential of up to 36% in 1 year
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Visa move will hurt America
The Trump administration's directive to US embassies to pause new student-visa interviews until steps are in place to screen political leanings of applicants is in keeping with Washington's ongoing actions against perceived anti-Semitism in US campuses. Such profiling has far-reaching implications for US academia, research, business, and the political economy at large. It will have an immediate impact on students who may have been preparing to study in the US: Indians constitute the largest international group in universities there. The larger message here is that America has changed and will henceforth be less tolerant of dissent. It will actively seek to censure (and censor) views that are not aligned with the administration's worldview. This may not necessarily be restricted to students' perceptions of Israel and its military action in Gaza, but also extend to their views regarding civic rights, sexuality, even world history. The administration's stance against a storied institution such as Harvard University indicates that it will go to any extent to enforce its writ on academia. There is pushback from the judiciary — a federal judge has stalled the department of homeland security's cancellation of Harvard's licence to enrol foreign students — but the administration has refused to back down. Its intent is clear: Campuses must stay clear of radical politics, and education should restrict itself to academic work. Profiling at the stage of visa interviews will enable the establishment to filter students early and restrict entry to those holding views that are an anathema to the administration. This pivot can have political and economic costs. First, foreign students contribute significantly to the US economy — research by NAFSA: Association of International Educators reported that this cohort added $43.8 billion to the US economy in 2023–2024 and supported 378,175 jobs across the country. This is a large talent pool that has historically contributed to building the US's economic and technological prowess. Second, liberal US campuses are flagbearers of American soft power, which has historically given the West its edge over authoritarian ideologies. From the time of the Cold War to the rise of China, US campuses with their willingness to recognise free speech and the right to association have influenced young people across the world — from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to Iran and China — to privilege liberal democracy over authoritarian welfare systems. The American dream has not just been about making money but is also about freedoms. Enterprise and innovation thrive when personal freedoms, including the right to speech and political choice, are protected. Universities with diverse political views and ideas contribute to this ecosystem. The visa action threatens to undermine this. A hostile bureaucracy will drive students, including from India, to explore campuses elsewhere: More Indian students are now looking to Europe, evident from the substantial rise in enrolments in universities in Germany and France.
