Story perspectives

Proposed 15% Cap Threatens International Enrollment at MIT

10/6/2025

Summary

Story summary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is among nine universities affected by a proposed 15% cap on international undergraduate enrollment in the US.
Dartmouth College is another affected institution.
The policy aims to limit student migration and directs faculty hiring.
DePaul University reported a 30% decline in international enrollment, and nationwide projections foresee a 15% drop costing about $7 billion.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration Act of 1924 established strict quotas favoring Northern Europeans, drastically reducing immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and effectively banning Asian immigrants. This legislation, rooted in eugenics and national origins ideology, shaped U.S. immigration policy until 1965. Today’s proposed caps on international student enrollment echo these historical restrictions, potentially costing the U.S. economy around $7 billion.

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Story summary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is among nine universities affected by a proposed 15% cap on international undergraduate enrollment in the US.
Dartmouth College is another affected institution.
The policy aims to limit student migration and directs faculty hiring.
DePaul University reported a 30% decline in international enrollment, and nationwide projections foresee a 15% drop costing about $7 billion.

1 / 2