Starting Sept. 15, students with F-1 and J-1 visas will face a strict four-year limit and a reduced 30-day grace period to leave the country.
Abigail Boggs, assistant professor of sociology and education studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, said while students can apply for an extension, the uncertainty is already keeping students away.
"Every time there's a chance of being rejected again. That's a scary prospect for someone investing a lifetime and a lot of money in their education," Boggs pointed out.
A projected 111,000 fewer international students are expected in the U.S. this fall — a more than 9% drop in enrollment compared to the previous year. Boggs noted many of the students teach undergraduate courses, and most pay full tuition, helping in-state students to pay less.
Boggs added academic work does not follow a strict timeline. Research changes and funding is often delayed. Boggs observed students also change along with their majors.
"When some students, a select group of students, are prohibited from even taking on that kind of exploration, it actually changes the academic and kind of educational space for all students. I think that's a real danger of what's happening," Boggs emphasized.
Federal officials acknowledged that the change may be disruptive and will add nearly 400,000 new visa reviews each year to an already backlogged system. Boggs believes the move is part of a broader effort by the administration to both control universities and curb immigration to the U.S.
A coalition of higher education organizations sued the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the rule from taking effect next month. They argued the government failed to identify any systemic problem with the existing student visa system or justify a regulatory overhaul, which could cost the nation tens of billions of dollars each year.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
