The US Immigration Data shows a significant decrease in the arrival of international students in July compared to the previous year. New student enrollment in U.S. schools is expected to decrease by nearly 50% in Fall 2025, including a drop of almost 50% for students from India, reports Forbes.
Trump administration’s actions, such as revoking visas, suspending visa interviews and threatening to terminate Optional Practical Training, are likely the reasons behind the decline in foreign students visiting the US.
Arrivals of overseas students
The U.S. Overseas Trade Administration reported that in July 2025, there were 28.5% fewer overseas students entering the country on visas than in July 2024, based on ADIS/I-94 statistics.
Arrivals of overseas students fell from 106,993 in July 2024 to 76,519 in July 2025. U.S. Customs and Border Protection provides the Arrival and Departure Information System data, and ITA is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Canada and Mexico are not included in the preliminary numbers.
According to the data, fewer international students will be enrolling on American college campuses in the fall. 30 days prior to the commencement of their program, which may include orientation, new overseas students are not permitted to enter.
For most students coming to the United States for the first time, that would entail coming in July or early August. Georgetown, George Washington, George Mason, American University, and the University of Maryland, for instance, all begin courses on August 25 or 27 in the Washington, D.C., area.
A portion of the drop in arrivals may be attributed to presently enrolled international students who choose not to leave the United States to vacation or visit their relatives, as in previous years. Many universities advised students to consider remaining in America rather than risking the Trump administration blocking their reentry.
International student arrivals showed a smaller decline when comparing year-to-date data, which may obscure the impact of a drop in new enrollment. That decrease would most likely appear in data for July and August 2025. International student arrivals declined by 7.7% between January and July 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024.
Why are students not preferring the US
The State Department has revoked visas and contacted overseas students, forcing them to leave the United States for minor offenses without giving them a chance to respond to the claims, prompting lawsuits.
Joseph Edlow, the new director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, proposes cutting off the immigration talent pipeline, which economists and businesses credit with America’s leadership in science and technological innovation. He stated that he hopes to eliminate the ability of international students to work on Optional Practical Training after completing their education and plans to change the H-1B lottery to disadvantage international students.
