Access to U.S. campuses is under political pressure from multiple angles. Purdue University faces accusations that it rescinded dozens of offers to students from China after warnings from lawmakers, a charge the university denies. At the same time, Project 2025 and allied conservative groups have circulated model legislation urging states to restrict undocumented students’ access to free public education and challenge the Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe precedent. Higher‑education leaders say these moves pose operational and legal dilemmas for admissions offices and trustees—balancing federal nondiscrimination obligations, state political directives, and national security concerns. Advocates warn that proposals to overturn Plyler would trigger protracted litigation and upheaval in K‑12 and college pipelines. Who’s involved: Purdue University, affected international applicants, the Heritage Foundation/Project 2025 authors and state policymakers. Why it matters: changes to admission policies and legal challenges to long‑standing Supreme Court rulings could reshape enrollment, diversity and revenue models across public higher education.