Fewer international students are studying at some Illinois universities

Fewer international students are heading to universities in Illinois and across the country this fall, early data show, amid efforts by the Trump administration to cut down on the number of foreign students studying on American campuses.

Data from at least three schools — DePaul, the University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — show declines in international enrollment among graduate students.

The resulting drops in tuition revenue are squeezing universities’ finances, and faculty say fewer international students on campus will hurt teaching and research.

“Much of the work that academics and particularly scientists do is international,” said Northwestern University Professor Leslie Harris. “It’s without borders, because we’re all struggling with the s