Displaying items by tag: international students

Donald Trump’s administration has ordered US embassies to halt new student visa appointments as it prepares to expand social media vetting of international applicants. The move is part of a broader crackdown on US universities, which Trump accuses of harbouring left-wing and antisemitic sentiment amid pro-Palestinian campus protests. Embassies are directed to cancel unscheduled interviews, with warnings of ‘significant implications’ for visa processing. Critics say this threatens the rights and futures of international students, who often pay higher fees and significantly fund the universities. The administration has frozen millions in university funding, revoked thousands of visas, and moved to deport foreign students - many actions now under legal challenge. Harvard University, a prime target, recently had its ability to host international students suspended, though a federal judge blocked the decision: for a view on how much its international students contribute, see Critics argue the social media screening policy infringes on free speech, while Trump insists it protects national security and combats extremism.

Australia, which currently has one of the biggest international student markets in the world, is to introduce a cap on new enrolments, limiting them to 270,000 in 2025, as part of efforts to reduce overall migration to pre-pandemic levels. Each educational institution will face specific restrictions, with vocational and training providers seeing the largest cuts. The move has sparked outrage among tertiary education providers, who argue it could damage the sector and economy. Education minister Jason Clare defended the policy, citing the need to improve the quality of education and address issues of unethical practices among some providers. The cap aims to alleviate pressures on housing and infrastructure, with additional reforms including tougher English-language requirements and incentives for universities to build student housing.