In the past several months, the Trump administration has announced a series of executive orders, memos and other administrative actions targeting immigration, especially international students. With required student applicant social media vetting, the termination of Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program, and President Donald Trump’s new sweeping travel ban — which creates difficulties for international students to travel to their home countries affected by the ban — international students are more vulnerable to deportation and denial of entry to colleges and universities of the United States. 

Tulane University complies with the Trump administration’s new regulations, requiring social media vetting and screenings.  

“International students and scholars are a vital part of the Tulane University community and are leaders in our mission of innovative scholarship, research and discovery that benefits all citizens of the world,” President Mike Fitts said in a statement. 

However, these new policies are undoubtedly a blow to the international community at Tulane.  

Although Tulane does not have the same resources as Harvard to fight back against the president, Tulane should still recognize and fight for the necessary advantages that international students bring to the Tulane community. 

A majority of international students pay full tuition, and according to the Institute of International Education, international students contribute billions to the U.S. economy annually. International students at Tulane are not eligible for government-based tuition assistance, making them potentially face the same tuition and fees as U.S. undergraduate students, approximately $92,328, which is one of the highest tuition rates in the country.  

With Tulane being home to over 1,400 international students, the university generates over $100 million of tuition and fees from these students.  

The Association of International Educators also released data in 2024 that revealed international students contribute almost $44 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year, and “for every three international students, one U.S. job is created/supported.”  

Not only do these students support U.S. universities financially, but they boost the U.S. economy and job market significantly.   

International students also contribute to universities’ academics. International students face a much more competitive landscape than U.S. students applying to American universities, as most American universities only accept roughly less than 15% of international applicants for their incoming class.  

Evidently, the international students applying to these top colleges in the U.S. are some of the best candidates. Also, international students offer diversity of thought, critical research and innovation to American colleges. The Association of American University’s 2022 joint report with the Business Roundtable reports, “International students, scientists and engineers help drive cutting-edge research and development, fill job openings in critical STEM fields, advance national security and bolster the U.S. economy by generating new domestic startups and businesses.”  

So, while the Trump administration’s actions are trying to discourage international student body diversity in U.S. colleges, his actions are not stopping international education. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, recently encouraged international students who are facing “unfair treatment” in America, to further their education at their universities, and more students are looking to apply to other top universities outside the U.S. such as the U.K.  

Ultimately, while Trump is trying to deter international education in the U.S., international students will simply take their talents and their money elsewhere. If U.S. universities such as Tulane want to continue to innovate and achieve in research, academics, entrepreneurship and beyond, international students are essential to achieving that.