U.S. colleges saw a 17% drop in new international student enrollment this year — the steepest decline outside the pandemic era — costing nearly $1 billion in local economic activity, according to new analysis. The study traced lost non-tuition spending to reduced jobs in restaurants, retail, housing and services near campuses. A separate Stop AAPI Hate survey found international students reporting sharp increases in fear under the Trump administration; more than half said they felt “not at all safe,” and 90% expressed moderate to extreme concern about visa status. Respondents said fear of enforcement, social surveillance and gaps in campus legal support are shaping decisions about studying in the U.S. Universities and town economies face near-term revenue and workforce effects, while campus leaders worry that a continued decline in international enrollments will weaken academic programs and research budgets that rely on international tuition income.