Dear Erica,
NAFSA and JB International (JBI) teamed up again to read the tea leaves for fall international student enrollment and not surprisingly, the news is not good. The analysis, based on responses to IIE’s Spring 2026 Snapshot on International Educational Exchange, estimates a nearly 10 percent drop in overall international enrollment this fall. This could mean up to 111,000 fewer international students on U.S. campuses and a loss of $3.4 billion in spending and more than 39,000 jobs from local economies. Factors driving the decline include visa bans, limited visa appointment availability, and swirling uncertainty around the Duration of Status policy and Optional Practical Training (OPT)—both essential lynchpins of the international student experience in this country.
As NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Fanta Aw said in a press release, “The projections underscore what we’ve long warned: U.S. policy and regulations affect where international students plan to invest their future—and their decisions carry significant short- and long-term consequences for U.S. society and economy.”
We have updated our Congressional call to action to reflect this concerning forecast. Please use the link below to deliver a timely message to your members of Congress.
In a ray of good news—and thanks to outreach by advocates like you, the letter led by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) to urge Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prioritize visa processing for international students and exchange visitors drew a total of 30 senate signatures. This is a welcome sign of Senate leadership and support coalescing around a fundamental issue at the heart of the United States’ ability to welcome international talent. Read Senator Padilla’s press release for a full list of signatories and if you are a constituent of any of them, please use our link below to send a message of appreciation. Use this post by the U.S. for Success Coalition to amplify the letter on LinkedIn.
On August 12, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published a Broadcast Message that significantly narrows F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) eligibility standards. The message indicates that CPT may be granted only if the CPT training “is indeed a core and essential part of the student’s studies, without which, they would be unable to complete their degree.” It also outlines possible consequences and DSO and school liabilities regarding CPT practices if it determines that “school officials are abusing CPT to create work opportunities rather than academic studies.” NAFSA has gone on record multiple times urging transparency from the administration when it alleges abuses of practical training, most recently in this May 2026 statement in response to allegations made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement about OPT.
In other regulatory news, the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs released guidance earlier this week on how the end of Duration of Status will affect J-1 Bridge USA programs. Visit NAFSA’s website for more information.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Thank you as ever.
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
