The higher education implications of the federal immigration crackdown extend beyond program timing, with new DHS/ICE rules potentially limiting international students’ ability to transfer, change majors, or pursue additional study levels without federal approval. While the visa cap final rule takes effect mid-September, advocates said the practical burden on universities will increase immediately: advising, documentation, extension requests, and compliance support must adapt to stricter timelines and centralized decision-making. International education leaders warned that the policy places “life-changing educational decisions” into a federal system already described as overburdened. For enrollment management, the rules increase uncertainty for prospective and admitted students, likely affecting yield and retention planning—especially for students near program milestones or seeking to change academic objectives.