New data and surveys show a notable drop in new international student enrollments at U.S. colleges this fall as visa processing delays and restrictive federal policies push applicants toward alternative destinations. Open Doors and sector surveys report double‑digit drops in new enrollments — with an across‑the‑board decline driven by visa delays, social‑media scrutiny of applicants and changes to the optional practical training pipeline. NAFSA’s survey of institutions found falling new bachelor’s and master’s enrollments and flagged consular delays and policy uncertainty as the primary barriers. Admissions and international offices should expect continued pressure on international recruitment budgets and pipeline diversification: many campuses are accelerating market expansion, online programming and partnerships to offset lost revenue as competitors in Asia and Europe exploit the shift.