The State Department announced a pause on immigrant‑visa processing for nationals of 75 countries effective Jan. 21, a move that threatens the flow of international students to U.S. campuses. The pause covers immigrant visas only, the department said, but education leaders flagged the measure’s chilling effect on recruitment and long‑term enrollment plans. The freeze comes as fall 2025 enrollment data showed only a modest 1% sectorwide rise and a worrying 5.9% fall in graduate international enrollment, according to National Student Clearinghouse figures. The Clearinghouse reported undergraduate international enrollments still grew but at half the pace of the previous year, while graduate programs experienced the largest declines. University officials warned the policy could compound existing post‑pandemic volatility in international recruitment, disrupt graduate research pipelines, and force programs that rely on overseas talent to scramble for alternatives. Campuses should anticipate advising affected applicants, adjusting financial forecasts, and expanding targeted outreach to countries not on the freeze list.