Many international students reconsider higher ed in the United States as visa revocations escalate.

The current wave of visa revocations has created significant uncertainty for international students in the United States, especially amidst the recent tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration. Reports suggest that over 4,700 international students have lost their F-1 or J-1 visa status, with many being expelled for minor infractions or without clear explanations. This has resulted in increased anxiety about travel, even within the U.S., as students worry that any engagement with governmental authorities might jeopardize their status. Major institutions, such as the University of California, Berkeley, have begun advising students to postpone international travel, pointing to concerns about strict vetting and enforcement policies. The economic impact is substantial, as international students contributed approximately $44 billion to the U.S. economy last year. With fears escalating, this situation not only endangers the financial stability of educational institutions reliant on international tuition but also diminishes the soft power of the U.S. as a welcoming destination for global talent. The climate of fear and uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement also threatens the foundational strengths of American innovation, reliant on a diverse pool of international scholars and professionals. If these trends continue, they could redirect talent away from American institutions to countries with more favorable policies, further eroding the U.S.'s competitive edge in higher education and research.