US Student Visa Freeze Disrupts Thousands of International Enrollments

The U.S. Department of State has paused new visa interviews for foreign students, including those in Kenya, Utah, and Maine, as part of a broader review to enhance social media screening for visa applicants in the F, M, and J categories. This suspension, ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has left thousands of international students uncertain about their ability to study in the U.S., with significant concerns raised by educational institutions and advocacy groups about its timing and potential impact on enrollment. Kenyan student numbers in U.S. universities have steadily increased over recent years, reaching a record high in the 2023/24 academic year, while schools like Layton Christian Academy in Utah, which hosts hundreds of international students, face possible enrollment declines and financial strain due to the visa freeze. Educational leaders and organizations like NAFSA view the pause as a disruptive move that could create fear among prospective students and shake the higher education sector, especially during peak application season. The restrictions also threaten to affect visiting scholars and professors, compounding concerns about the broader impact on academic communities nationwide. Institutions are monitoring the situation closely, hoping for clarifications and a swift resolution to minimize harm to students and schools.