The number of international students enrolling in American higher education institutions has dropped by 17 per cent this year—marking the sharpest decline ever recorded—amid ongoing efforts by President Donald Trump to tighten immigration controls.

The data, released Monday by the Institute of International Education (IIE), shows a dramatic shift from the near-steady one per cent decline reported during the previous academic year. According to The New York Times, the IIE gathered data from fewer than a quarter of U.S. degree-granting institutions, focusing on schools with historically high international student populations.

Of the roughly 825 colleges and universities that participated, 57 per cent reported a fall in new international student enrollment. Although the report does not represent all institutions nationwide, its findings align with separate figures from the Department of Homeland Security regarding student visa holders—suggesting a continuing downward trend in the years ahead.

The decline is widely linked to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration and education policies. Earlier this year, federal research funding and grants to several universities were slashed, forcing many institutions to limit admissions for foreign applicants, particularly at the graduate level.

Additionally, international students are increasingly hesitant to apply to U.S. schools following the revocation of thousands of student visas. The administration claimed the affected students held “anti-American and antisemitic” views, further heightening concerns among prospective applicants. The U.S. also updated its visa requirements to include mandatory screening of social media accounts, adding another layer of scrutiny during the application process.

In a move generating global reaction, President Trump recently signed an executive order raising the annual sponsorship fee for H-1B work visas from $5,000 to $100,000. The change affects companies hiring foreign workers, including applicants from Nigeria, and significantly complicates the pathway for international graduates hoping to transition from student visas to long-term employment in the U.S.

Education analysts warn that the steep decline could impact U.S. universities financially and academically, as international students contribute billions of dollars annually to the economy and bolster research output across campuses.