New DHS rule adds hurdles for Illinois international students
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A new federal immigration rule could make it harder for Illinois universities to attract and keep international students.
Why it matters: International students make up a significant portion of the population at Chicago and Illinois schools, and they generally pay higher tuition and fees than domestic students. Making the barrier to entry more stringent could cut off a key source of tuition and talent for local colleges.
Catch up quick: Previously, international students — known as F-1 Visa recipients —were admitted to the U.S. for the period of time needed to complete their studies, known as duration of status (D/S).
- Under a new rule issued this month by the Department of Homeland Security, students will be admitted for a fixed time, generally four years for undergraduate studies, and that restricts students' ability to change majors.
- If they need additional time to complete their degree, begin a new program or pursue postgraduate study, they must apply for an extension and pay a fee.
By the numbers: Illinois' international student population in 2024 was more than 66,000, contributing $2.4 billion and more than 22,000 jobs to the economy, according to NAFSA.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks second in the nation among public universities for international students and sixth among all colleges, according to the Institute of International Education.
- Illinois was one of three states that saw international student growth in 2024, with an increase of 7% from the previous year, IIE reported.
- More than half of all international students across the U.S. (57%) pursued STEM fields of study.
State of play: Tuition and fees for international students at UIUC were $68,000 this academic year, higher than for in-state and out-of-state students.
- Undergrad tuition at Northwestern in 2026 is more than $71,000, and only first-year international applicants are eligible for financial aid.
- University of Chicago undergrad tuition this year is more than $75,000.
What they're saying: Under the new rule, authority over timelines for study shifts from the university to the federal immigration system, and "will exacerbate existing immigration application backlogs, create further uncertainty, intrude on academic decision-making, impose new bureaucratic hurdles, and ultimately deter international students, researchers, and scholars from choosing the United States," Zuzana C. Wootson from the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration said in a statement.
Zoom in: "We want to emphasize that you are welcome and wanted here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Our diverse and talented international population is part of what makes our university exceptional," University of Illinois vice provost Colleen Murphy and assistant provost Martin McFarlane posted on UIUC's Website about the rule.
- Both the University of Chicago and Northwestern University stated they are reviewing the rule, but neither responded to a request for further comment.
The other side: "For nearly half a century, the outdated 'duration of status' system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said of the rule.
- Axios asked DHS if they had examples of international students committing immigration fraud, but they did not answer that question.
What's next: The new rule takes effect Sept. 15.