The number of international students newly enrolling in American universities plummeted this fall, according to figures released Monday, Nov. 17, as foreign-born students navigate visa restrictions and other hurdles imposed by the Trump administration.

The study, conducted by the Institute of International Education, a nonpartisan organization, said new international student enrollments declined by 17% this year, the largest drop in more than a decade, not including the pandemic.

In President Donald Trump's second term in office, international students have faced a range of obstacles to study in the United States, including visa terminations, harsher screenings and, for some, detentions for pro-Palestinian speech.

The study sampled over 800 higher education institutions, most of which cited visa-related concerns and travel restrictions for the drop in new enrollments.

The total number of international students on university campuses nationwide decreased by 1% from the last academic year, according to the study, a figure that includes students who enrolled in years prior.

In total, nearly 57% of universities reported a decrease in new international students this fall, while 29% saw increases and others held steady.

The drop in new international student enrollments represents a developing trend. Last year, the annual study noted a 7% decrease in new international enrollments.

After targeting international students, Trump says they're vital

The Trump administration has clamped down on international students this year, drawing rebuke, protests and legal challenges.

In May, the administration moved to halt international students from entering the country to study at Harvard University, a move that was blocked by a federal judge. The same month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the U.S. would "aggressively revoke" visas from Chinese students.

But recently, the administration has sent mixed messages on its stance regarding international students, who researchers say contribute to local economies nationwide and help create new jobs.

Last week, Trump defended a plan he announced in August to give 600,000 visas to Chinese students looking to study in the U.S., arguing that foreign students are vital to keeping American universities afloat.

"It's not that I want them, but I view it as a business," he said in an appearance on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle."

Trump said slashing the number of international students coming into the U.S. would "destroy our entire university and college system."

"I don't want to do that," he said.

The cost of pushing away international students

The decline in new international students could have a large economic impact, researchers say.

A study released Nov. 17 by the nonprofit NAFSA: Association of International Educators said the plummeting international student enrollment rate could cost over $1.1 billion in lost revenue and lead to nearly 23,000 fewer jobs.

In the 2023-24 school year alone, foreign students contributed more than $43 billion to the U.S. economy, the nonprofit said.

Contributing: BrieAnna J. Frank and Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: International students are increasingly avoiding US universities, new study says

Reporting by Christopher Cann, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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