In a country as diverse as the U.S, the current administration’s attacks on immigration have inevitably impacted every aspect of life, and education is no exception. From ICE presence on campus to heightened visa screenings to threats of deportation in response to political activism, international students—nonimmigrant students allowed to temporarily stay in the U.S. during their higher education—are facing myriad barriers.
While they make up only 6% of enrollment nationwide, many Illinois colleges and universities boast high numbers of international students, with both the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Chicago stating a population of 24% international students and Northwestern University stating 22%. China and India are the most common countries of origin for these students.
“This past summer I attended an international college fly-in program with counselors across the country including counselors from Egypt, South Africa, Rwanda, Columbia, Germany, China, and many more,” LT College and Career Counselor Cody Dailey said. “Many of them said that previously, their students considered American schools to be their most desirable options. Now, their students are second-guessing that and looking at other options abroad.”
According to federal data from the National Travel and Tourism Office, international student arrivals to the U.S. in August were down by 19% compared to last year. Some schools have been hit particularly hard, with DePaul University reporting a nearly 62% drop in new international student enrollment, which is creating financial troubles. The school is considering cost-saving measures to compensate for the loss of revenue such as freezing staff hiring, optimizing course offerings, and limiting discretionary spending.
“Significant shifts in the higher education landscape continue to create a palpable sense of fear and anxiety in our community,” DePaul President Rob Manuel said in a letter to faculty and staff on Sept. 30. “We are all worried about the safety of our community members, the safeguarding of academic freedom, and the new financial challenges driven by changes in federal funding and visa processing.”
Different statistics tell different stories. The Department of Homeland Security reports a decrease of less than 1% in new international student enrollment nationwide. However, a survey by the Institute of International Education found a 17% decline in first-time international students. Regardless, there is a growing perception that the U.S. is not safe for international students and that the government may continue to take action against them. Many who were already studying in the U.S. were unable to visit their families this summer as they chose to stay in the country for fear that they would not be allowed to return if they left, Dailey said.
Specific issues troubling potential and current international students include a stricter visa application process, which requires review of applicants’ social media presence to screen for what is considered “antisemitic activity” and “terrorist [sympathizing]”, according to an update on the U.S Citizens and Immigration Services website. In light of actions such as the attempted deportation of legal resident Mahmound Kahli for pro-Palestinian protesting, this has been interpreted as screening for criticism of the Israeli government. Additionally, there are currently travel bans and restrictions on numerous countries, especially African ones, creating even more barriers for specific international students.
“Another thing that is of top interest to international students is the ability to do research,” Dailey said. “With cuts to research, graduate programs may look less enticing.”
Despite the Trump administration’s previous actions towards international students, such as attempting to ban Harvard from accepting them in June and announcing intentions to “aggressively revoke” visas of Chinese students in May, more recent statements from the president suggest he may be reversing his policies on them to protect enrollment revenue for smaller and public universities.
“I want to see our school system thrive,” president Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Nov 10. “It’s not that I want [international students], but I view it as a business.”