- The Trump administration published a proposed rule on October 8 that would charge universities $70,000 per international student enrolled in a post-graduation work programme
- The policy is one of several measures introduced in Trump's second term that have tightened access to education and employment for foreign nationals in the US
- A preliminary analysis estimated a drop of 111,000 international student enrolments in 2026, threatening billions of dollars in university revenue
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
The Trump administration has proposed charging universities KSh 9.1 million (USD 70,000) for each international student who participates in a programme allowing foreign graduates to work temporarily in the United States.
Source: Facebook
The Department of Homeland Security published the proposed rule on October 8, targeting Optional Practical Training (OPT), a scheme that permits foreign students to gain work experience in the US following graduation.
The department said the fee was necessary to "place the United States' interests first and protect American workers."
"This rule proposes new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers," the DHS stated.
Broader crackdown on international students
The OPT fee proposal is part of a wider pattern of restrictions introduced during President Donald Trump's second term. His administration has ramped up vetting for student visas, terminated the legal status of thousands of enrolled students, and moved to cap the duration for which individuals can hold student visas.
Fees and entry conditions attached to H-1B employment visas, which many international graduates depend on to remain in the US after completing their studies, have also been tightened.
The measures represent a marked shift from Trump's campaign pledge to offer permanent residency to international students graduating from American universities, and from his repeated assertions of support for legal immigration. Several of the policies have since been blocked by courts.
Geopolitical economist Aly-Khan Satchy said the intent behind the policies was clear.
"This represents a throttling of access to higher education at a time when economies are slowing and opportunities for work are also tapering," he told TUKO.co.ke.
What is the impact on the US universities?
The cumulative effect of the restrictions is already registering in university finances.
A preliminary analysis by NAFSA, an association representing international educators, estimated that international student enrolment dropped by 111,000 in 2026, a decline that could translate into up to KSh 441 billion (USD 3.4 billion) in lost revenue for American institutions.
Universities have raised alarm over the financial sustainability of international programmes, particularly as fewer prospective students consider the US a viable destination for higher education.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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