Higher education experts say immigration changes under the Trump administration are threatening students. That — amid plans from the administration that new student visa interviews will be put on pause.
Student visa interviews are a key step for foreign-born scholars hoping to come to the U.S. The Trump administration says they’re being paused while the State Department develops a more intensive social media screening protocol for applicants.
Miriam Feldblum is the president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration — a group that includes some 600 presidents of U.S. universities and colleges.
“International students help fuel cutting edge research and innovation on campus, and after graduation, the research demonstrates they contribute to workplaces, launch startups and fulfill critical skill needs in communities across the country,” she said during press call Tuesday. “The administration’s recent policies have been generating a growing climate of fear, volatility and uncertainty, which will deter future students from choosing to pursue higher education in the U.S.”
Feldblum says international students contributed nearly $44 billion to the U.S. economy between 2023 and 2024, and revenue generated from international students’ tuition also helps fuel programs that benefit US born students. But, many have already chosen to go elsewhere amid the changes, and others are now blocked by the pause on visa applications.
Scores of international students have also had their visas revoked in recent months, including more than 100 in Arizona.
