Highlights
- ASU enrolled 11,000 international students this fall, down from 14,000 last year, a 21% decline the university attributes partly to visa processing delays.
- International students contribute an estimated $600 million to Arizona's economy and support more than 5,500 jobs, according to ASU's own data.
- More than 100 ASU students had their visas revoked in April, with some self-deporting and others seeking legal counsel, per United Campus Workers of Arizona.
- Sen. Mark Kelly is pressing the State Department for answers on visa delays as ASU offers alternative pathways for students unable to arrive on time.
Arizona State University opened fall semester with 11,000 international students on campus, down from 14,000 a year ago, a decline the university attributes in part to visa processing delays and shifting immigration policies, and one that carries a direct price tag for Arizona's economy.
According to ASU's own data, international students contribute an estimated $600 million to Arizona's economy and support more than 5,500 jobs. The enrollment drop arrives as students moved onto campus Thursday, hauling boxes into dorms to start the new semester.
Darius Amiri, an immigration attorney at Rose Law Group, said the ASU numbers reflect a pattern playing out at universities across the country. "I think we've seen about a 10% drop nationwide in international student enrollment since the beginning of the Trump administration," Amiri told Arizona's Family. He added that the financial consequences for universities are significant because international students typically pay full tuition.
ASU President Michael Crow has pointed to visa processing delays as a contributing factor. The slowdown has had concrete consequences on campus: in April, United Campus Workers of Arizona found more than 100 ASU students had their visas revoked. Michael Kintscher, president of the organization, said the reasons were not always clear and that affected students have responded in different ways, with some voluntarily leaving the country and others staying to seek legal advice.
Who is pressing for answers on the visa delays?
Sen. Mark Kelly is among lawmakers pressing the State Department for answers on visa delays and appointment availability. A university spokesperson said ASU continues to support international students and is offering alternative pathways for those unable to arrive on time.
Inside Higher Ed and KJZZ have both reported on the broader enrollment picture, with Inside Higher Ed noting that as of early August, approximately 1,000 of ASU's 3,313 incoming international students were still awaiting visa approval.
Where to find them
- Rose Law Group · roselawgroup.com
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 14/08/2026 01:15
- Rose Law Group (official site) retrieved 14/08/2026 01:15
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 14/08/2026 01:15. Every claim traces to a source.
