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Geopolitical tensions and domestic policy debates have led to increasing scrutiny of international students in American universities.
The US has temporarily stopped scheduling new student visa interviews at embassies across the world.
The Trump administration is getting ready to impose stricter rules on checking social media accounts of foreign students.
This latest action comes amid growing efforts by the administration to tighten entry rules for foreign students, citing threats to national security and concerns over campus unrest.
Just days ago, the administration attempted to stop Harvard University from enrolling international students but that move was blocked by a federal judge.
However, international students continue to make a profound yet often understated impact on the US economy.
More than 1.1 million international students studied at US colleges and universities during the 2023–2024 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education.
Collectively, they contributed a record $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 378,000 American jobs, according to the latest report from NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
The economic activity total is the highest amount ever calculated by NAFSA, eclipsing the high water mark of $41 billion in 2018-2019 academic year.
This is the third straight year of recorded increases following the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, though the annual increase in economic activity (9.3 percent) and jobs (2 percent) both increased at a lower rate than last year (18.5 percent and almost 10 percent, respectively).
Beyond their immediate financial contributions, international students play a critical role in scientific and technological advancement.
At American universities, foreign nationals accounted for 82% of the full-time graduate students in petroleum engineering, 74% in electrical engineering, 72% in computer and information sciences, 71% in industrial and manufacturing engineering, 70% in statistics, 67% in economics, 61% in civil engineering, 58% in mechanical engineering and agricultural economics, 56% in mathematics, 54% in chemical engineering, 53% in metallurgical and materials engineering, 52% in materials sciences and 50% in pharmaceutical sciences, as per a 2021 study by the nonpartisan think tank National Foundation for American Policy.
These students represent a vital source of talented professionals, researchers and innovators for U.S. employers.
These students are not merely consumers of education — they are co-creators of the intellectual property that fuels America's tech dominance.
Many are named co-authors on patents and academic publications, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, and quantum computing.
International students build big American businesses
From Elon Musk to Sergei Brin who co-founded Google to Mike Krieger who cofounded Instagram to Noubar Afeyan who cofounded Moderna to Sanjay Mehrotra who cofounded SanDisk, international students went on to create big businesses in the US. Some like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai rose to the top of mega tech companies and became drivers of their growth.
As per NFAP's 2022 analysis, the collective value of the over 300 immigrant-founded US companies was $1.2 trillion, more than the value of all the companies listed on the main stock markets of many countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Portugal, Ireland, Russia and Mexico.
The NFAP report said the value of immigrant-founded US billion-dollar companies would rise to $1.5 trillion if one included billion-dollar companies with immigrant founders that have become publicly traded (or were acquired) since 2016, such as Moderna and Zoom Video.
Stuart Anderson, executive director of National Foundation for American Policy, told the Washington Post that international students help turn US universities into centers of research and innovation.
“International students help give America a vibrant center for science and cutting-edge research and help US companies thrive in the technology fields, in particular, whether it’s start-ups or being key employees at Silicon Valley companies,” he said.
International students are more than just participants in the US education system; they are vital contributors to the economy and innovation landscape.
Their entrepreneurial endeavors have led to the creation of successful startups, job opportunities, and advancements in various industries.
Recognizing and supporting the contributions of international students is essential for sustaining the US's position as a global leader in innovation and economic development.
