The United States has seen a significant decline in student visa issuances, dropping by around 19.1% in August compared to the same month last year. This decline reflects the ongoing restrictive immigration policies implemented by President Donald Trump. India, the top source of international students in the U.S., experienced the steepest drop with a 44.5% decrease in visas. Chinese students also faced a decline, though less severe.
Several Muslim-majority countries saw even sharper reductions. For example, Iranian student visas dropped by 86%. These figures reflect only new visa issuances and do not include students already in the U.S. on existing visas.
The Trump administration’s tighter controls have included increased scrutiny of students’ social media profiles and political views. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suspended all student visa processing in June to enhance screenings. Students perceived as opposing U.S. values or institutions were flagged during evaluations. Additionally, students participating in protests or critical of Israel reportedly faced visa revocations.
Despite this hardline stance, policy messaging has been inconsistent. In August, Trump stated plans to admit 600,000 new Chinese students, doubling the current number in the country. “We’re going to allow, it’s very important, 600,000 students,” he said, marking a notable policy shift.
These changes reflect a broader strategy of using visa policy as a political tool, particularly targeting students engaged in activism or from specific national backgrounds.
