We’re seeing more analysis and information describing the significant economic and broader harms caused by federal policies that have resulted in plummeting international student enrollment in the United States. The most recent is an article published on June 8 that shows “the state of international enrollment in 6 charts.” Another article from June 7 (“We Must Stop the Decline in International Enrollment“) describes the strong economic and national security benefits of international students studying in the U.S. and how the declines are harming Americans.
It’s a simple truth that America has enjoyed an advantage for decades: When we attract global talent through our universities, we strengthen our economy, deepen our talent and innovation base, and build our global leadership. International students at America’s universities, colleges and community colleges are quiet drivers of innovation, international partnership and community investment.
Substantial Economic Harm to Americans. Earlier analysis reached the same conclusion. In December, an article for the Council on Foreign Relations explained how “international students play a vital role in the U.S. higher education system . . . they contribute tens of billions of dollars to the economy each year, support job creation, and advance cutting-edge research and innovation efforts.” A report in fall 2025 from National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) highlighted how declining international student enrollment can cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs. That report estimated that the 17% decline in international student enrollment last fall may have translated into over $1.1 billion in lost revenue for the U.S. economy and nearly 23,000 fewer jobs. In another publication in 2025, NAFSA noted that research showed that in “scenario modeling based on a potential 30-40 percent decline in new international student enrollment in the United States this fall could result in a 15 percent drop in overall enrollment. This drop would result in nearly $7 billion in lost revenue and more than 60,000 fewer jobs.” Another report late last year described the broader impact of declining international student enrollment on American businesses and families (“These impacts reach well beyond campuses. Student spending flows into the housing market, local restaurants, grocery stores, clinics, transportation services, and retail establishments, sectors that rely heavily on consistent student demand.”).
Harmful Policies. Among some of the policies that are making it less attractive for foreign students to study in the United States include: (1) a DHS final rule ending “duration of status” limiting the time students can study in the U.S. (analysis here); (2) an expanded travel ban from 19 to 39 countries, impacting international students and exchange visitors; (3) heightened visa vetting and processing delays, leading to rising visa denial rates; (4) threats to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and the H1-B program; and (5) highly publicized detentions/ deportations of foreign students.
On the next page are links to some articles, reports, and studies that describe the significant harms to small business, local communities, and to colleges and universities as a result of the policies. For some recent discussion about international students in the law school context, see Carole Silver, Who’s Here? How U.S. Law Schools Understand their International Students, Jotwell, March 17, 2025.
