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Court documents reveal how colleges are anticipating—or, in some cases, already feeling—the impact of the Department of Homeland Security’s new rule limiting how long international students can stay in the United States.

Fifteen institutions submitted declarations in support of a lawsuit asking for the rule to be vacated, arguing that if it goes into effect as planned on Sept. 15, it will cause them irreparable harm.

Some of the universities said the rule has already prompted some students who were planning to enroll this semester to withdraw, in some cases citing the regulatory change specifically.

“After careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the program and not proceed with my plan to study in the United States,” one student who had committed to the University of Wisconsin–Madison wrote to the institution, according to the court document. “A significant factor in my decision was the recently published DHS final rule … after weighing these circumstances carefully, I do not feel that I can proceed with my studies in the United States as originally planned and I won’t come to the United States this academic year.”

Other colleges said applications from international students or international enrollments were down this year, likely due to the rule, which was first proposed this summer, as well as to the Trump administration’s broader campaign against international students. The institutions stressed that the loss of that tuition revenue will impact their bottom lines—and their ability to provide scholarships to some domestic students.

International Student and Graduate Employment Under Scrutiny: What's Changing for CPT, OPT, and the H-1B Visa Program

In recent months, the Trump administration has implemented or proposed several changes to key programs related to employment opportunities for current international students and recent international graduates of U.S. universities. Below is a summary of recent developments.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
SEVP issued two broadcast messages narrowing CPT eligibility, instructing Designated School Officials (DSOs) to authorize CPT only when it's essential for degree completion and required for all students in a program—not just an elective option. The messages also emphasized liability for DSOs and schools.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted a proposed rule on OPT fees for regulatory review. Though details remain undisclosed, media reports suggest the administration may seek high fees for OPT applications.

H-1B Visas
DHS submitted a proposed rule reforming H-1B eligibility and oversight, while a separate proposal would add a $103,265 fee on new cap-subject H-1B petitions—directly affecting recent graduates seeking poststudy employment.

The Impact

Since these opportunities are a top priority for prospective students deciding where to study, stakeholders are concerned that the changes could have a significant negative impact on international enrollment and recruitment. Some argue that the deleterious effects are already playing out in declining visa application numbers.

See "Recent U.S. Executive and Regulatory Actions" below for more information and visit the Adviser's Manual 360 news feed for the latest updates on these topics.