The Trump administration has sent a directive to U.S. colleges mandating that no more than 15% of their undergraduate students be international, aiming to reshape higher education demographics. The memo also restricts any one foreign country from constituting more than 5% of the student body.
This move forms part of a broader 10-point policy proposal that targets admissions, faculty hiring, tuition freezes, and ideological alignment for institutions seeking favorable federal funding. The policy aims to curb international influence and reshape campus demographics under the banner of prioritizing “American values.”
Some leading universities have been asked to agree to these terms. Those that comply may gain advantages such as increased federal grants and support. Dissenting institutions risk losing access to federal benefits or facing punitive measures.
Educational leaders and advocacy groups have raised concerns over the plan’s impact on academic freedom, campus diversity, and the financial models of institutions reliant on full-fee-paying international students.
