A sharp 17% drop in new international student enrolments in the US this fall is being driven largely by declines from India, amid visa delays, Trump-era restrictions, and growing uncertainty for foreign applicants.
Donald Trump defended a plan to allow 600,000 Chinese students into U.S. colleges, warning universities would “struggle” without them. But the move sparked outrage from MAGA loyalists, conservatives, and Ron DeSantis, who claim it betrays America First and risks jobs, security, and research.
The Trump administration has launched a sweeping review of more than 55 million US visa holders, citing overstays, criminal activity, and terrorism risks. The State Department says all visa holders are now under “continuous vetting,” sparking concerns over fairness, mass deportations, and impacts on students, workers, and families.
A sudden shift in US-China relations as Trump’s Visa Crackdown on Chinese Students Risks Academic Cold War. In a sharp and unexpected move, the Trump administration has reignited tensions between the United States and China, targeting two crucial fronts: technology and education. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement on visa restrictions for Chinese students, paired with sweeping export controls on semiconductor design software, has sent shockwaves through diplomatic, academic, and economic sectors.