The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is driving international students away at an unprecedented scale, with new enrollment projected to plummet by up to 40% this fall and force numerous colleges to close. State of play: The crackdown, which now also targets non-criminals, has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among foreign students. Beyond traditional immigration enforcement, the administration has sought to deport those who participate in pro-Palestinian activism and temporarily revoked legal status for thousands over minor infractions. These actions, combined with visa processing delays in key markets like China, have grown so severe that prospective students are abandoning U.S. applications entirely.
