Trump and Miller Pressure Educational Institutions to Refuse Admission to Foreign Students
Trump Administration's Measures to Limit International Student Enrollment in U.S. Universities
The Trump administration has taken steps to limit the number of international students in American universities, aiming to restrict the global influence of U.S. higher education and enforce ideological and political controls. This move, despite the known economic benefits that international students bring to U.S. universities and the American economy, was part of a broader strategy.
According to a report by Madeline Zavodny, a professor of economics at the University of North Florida, the undergraduate student population in America would be almost 5 million students smaller in 2037 than 2022 without immigrants, international students, and the children of immigrants [2]. This is significantly evident in institutions like Columbia University, where international students make up roughly 40% of the enrollment and contribute substantially to the university’s finances [7].
The administration's efforts were led by Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who negotiated with U.S. universities. Universities, in an attempt to avoid aggressive targeting by the administration, are privately negotiating with a deputy to Stephen Miller [4]. One such instance is the agreement signed between Trump officials and Columbia University on July 23, 2025, which withheld over $400 million in federal research funds due to antisemitism concerns [1]. The agreement also included a provision that commits Columbia University to decreasing international student enrollment [3].
The agreement mandates Columbia to question foreign applicants about their reasons for studying in the U.S., providing a mechanism to screen out politically active or disfavored students [1][3][4]. It also requires the university to pay $200 million to the U.S. Treasury and an additional $21 million into a fund associated with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to settle claims [3].
The Trump administration has also threatened to deport thousands of international students for minor infractions and banned students from entering the United States to attend Harvard [6]. Another rule, not yet published, would end duration status and require international students to obtain extension approvals if they wish to continue their studies beyond two or four years [5]. An upcoming rule would utilize salary "weighting" to modify the H-1B selection process, likely disadvantaging early-career individuals, particularly international students [5].
Despite these measures, research suggests that a higher enrollment of international students is associated with an increase in U.S. students majoring in STEM fields. Each additional 10 bachelor's degrees awarded to international students by a college or university leads to an additional 15 bachelor's degrees in STEM majors awarded to U.S. students, according to Zavodny's report [2]. However, the Trump administration's stance reflects a broader rejection of longstanding openness toward international engagement in U.S. education and migration policies, favoring a restrictive and inward-looking model even at economic cost [1][3][4].
A Resolution Monitor will monitor Columbia's compliance with the agreement's provisions [1]. Senior White House policy strategist May Mailman and other administration officials are involved in these discussions with universities [4]. The Trump administration's approach to international student enrollment in U.S. universities is a significant departure from previous policies and could have far-reaching implications for the future of American higher education.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/us/politics/columbia-university-settlement.html [2] https://www.jstor.org/stable/27825917 [3] https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2025/07/24/columbia-university-agrees-settle-trump-administration-antisemitism-investigation [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/07/24/columbia-university-settles-trump-administration-antisemitism-investigation/ [5] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/us/politics/trump-administration-international-students.html [6] https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/23/us/trump-administration-harvard-international-students/index.html [7] https://www.columbia.edu/about/news-and-events/articles/2022/01/international-students-columbia-university
- The Trump immigration news has caused concern among U.S. universities like Columbia University, as the administration's policy-and-legislation on international students could affect their enrollment significantly.
- Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff under the Trump administration, has been instrumental in the negotiations regarding the immigration news for international students, impacting institutions such as Columbia University.
- The Trump administration's measures towards international students have extended to education-and-self-development, with potential implications for learning opportunities, such as optional practical training and H-1B visas, affecting students in universities like Harvard.
