Washington: The United States issued nearly a fifth fewer student visas in August amid pressure from US President Donald Trump.

According to the International Trade Administration, the United States issued 313,138 student visas in August.

US universities typically approve the most student visas in August, but this rate has decreased by 19.1 percent compared to August 2024.

India, the top source of foreign students going to the United States last year, saw the most dramatic decline, with 44.5 percent fewer students receiving visas than the previous year.

Visa issuance for Chinese students has also declined, but not at nearly the same rate. The United States issued 86,647 visas to students from mainland China in August. That’s more than double the number issued to Indians.

The data does not reflect the overall number of international students in the US, as many of them are on previously issued visas.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has made both immigration control and pressure on universities a high priority. His administration has been criticized for viewing university immigration as a key power base for the left.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in June that the student visa process would be temporarily suspended.

Rubio has had thousands of student visas revoked, often because of his criticism of Israel, which he says can deny entry to people who go against US foreign policy interests.

President Trump has also imposed new fees on the H-1B visas, which are used by most Indian technology workers.

However, despite Rubio’s pledge to “aggressively” cancel Chinese student visas, Trump has expressed hope for an increase in the number of Chinese students to boost ties between the two powers.

The latest figures also show a sharp decline in student visas from many Muslim-majority countries. The number of students enrolling from Iran has fallen by 86 percent.

AAFP News