A recent study published on Monday reveals a significant 17% decline in new international student enrollment at US universities this autumn compared to previous years. The research attributes this downturn primarily to stricter visa policies under the Trump administration, with delays and denials in visa applications cited as major contributing factors. While the overall number of international students in the US saw a modest 1% decrease, the sharp drop in first-time enrollments has raised concerns about the future of international education in the country. Foreign students, who constitute approximately 6% of total US enrollment, contributed $55 billion to the economy in 2024, according to the US Department of Commerce. The Institute of International Education conducted the survey, analyzing data from 828 higher education institutions. Clay Harmon, executive director of AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management, expressed concern about the implications for future years, stating, ‘There are warning signs for future years, and I’m really concerned about what this portends for fall ’26 and ’27.’ The 17% decline in first-time students is less severe than the 30%-40% drop predicted by NAFSA, a non-profit international educators group, earlier this summer. Despite the challenges, 84% of universities consider foreign student recruitment a priority, with many institutions offering flexibility to students facing obstacles, such as deferrals, which increased by 39% compared to the 2024 survey. Researchers identified several factors driving the decline, including visa issues, travel restrictions affecting about 2% of foreign students, and concerns about feeling unwelcome in the US. The Trump administration has implemented policies limiting the number of foreign students, including pausing visa appointments earlier this year and introducing stricter screening measures, such as social media checks, in June. These measures followed widespread pro-Palestine protests on college campuses and the revocation of over 6,000 student visas due to legal violations. President Trump has acknowledged the economic importance of foreign students, stating his intention to issue 600,000 Chinese student visas, despite national security concerns among some supporters. ‘The students pay more than double when they come in from most foreign countries,’ Trump remarked on Fox News, emphasizing the financial benefits to US universities.