The number of international student arrivals in the U.S. dropped by nearly a fifth in August as American universities started the new academic year, according to federal data.

The dip is the latest sign of a hit to colleges' international enrollment as the Trump administration ratchets up scrutiny of foreign students. Advertisement

International visitors arriving to the U.S. on student visas declined 19% in August compared with the same month in 2024, according to the preliminary data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office. The numbers declined also in June and July but August is the summer month that typically sees the most international student arrivals — 313,138 this year.

As the federal government has clamped down on student visas, industry groups have warned of inter

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