New student visas issued ahead of the fall 2025 semester fell 35.6% from the prior period, a sharper decline than experts predicted amid intensified federal actions targeting international students. The drop affects undergraduate and graduate pipelines and threatens revenue and research staffing at U.S. campuses that rely on international tuition and talent. Universities and international offices are likely to face immediate enrollment-management and financial-planning challenges as admissions yields and visa flows adjust. Campus leaders and admissions directors will need contingency recruitment strategies, intensified support for incoming international scholars, and plans to mitigate research disruptions tied to visa delays.