Foreign applicants to US colleges crater following visa crackdown

President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown on foreign students in the United States has had a chilling effect on enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities this fall, according to an analysis funded by the State Department.

Newly enrolled college students declined 17% this fall compared to last year following the Trump administration’s decision to review applicants’ social media when screening student visa applications, according to the Open Doors 2026 report that nonprofit group Institute of International Education released in November.