Trump Defends Foreign Students, Citing Economic Impact on US Colleges
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President Donald Trump recently defended the presence of international students in U.S. universities, pushing back on the idea of dramatically cutting their numbers. He specifically argued against measures that would target Chinese students, whose enrolment has been a point of scrutiny from some in his political base.
During an interview, the President stated that reducing the number of foreign students by half would be “financially destructive” and could “destroy our entire university and college system.” He emphasised the economic role of these students, noting that they contribute “trillions of dollars” and typically pay “more than double” the tuition of domestic students.
Trump acknowledged the concerns, including claims from conservative commentators that Chinese students could spy or steal intellectual property. However, he maintained a pragmatic, business-focused view, stating, “It’s not that I want them, but I view it as a business.” His priority, he said, is to see the American school system thrive.
The President’s comments stand in stark contrast to his administration’s own policies, which have been criticised for creating significant visa hurdles for international students. These measures have included stricter vetting procedures, a temporary suspension of new visa interviews, and past efforts to cap international enrolment at institutions.
Despite the administration’s fluctuating policies, Trump cited a figure from earlier this year, suggesting he would allow up to 600,000 Chinese students to come to the U.S. This number is more than double the approximately 277,000 Chinese students recorded in America in the 2023/24 academic year, highlighting the deep internal conflict between economic realities and nationalist policy goals within the administration.
International education advocates often point to the significant economic contribution of foreign students, which was estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy in 2024. The President’s acknowledgment of this financial value underscores the dilemma the administration faces in balancing national security and trade concerns with the fiscal health of American higher education.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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