Trump defends role of foreign students amid US visa crackdown, says ‘dont want them but …’

US President Donald Trump has justified the continued presence of foreign students in American universities, saying that international enrolments play a vital role in sustaining the country’s higher education system and overall economy.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump warned that drastically reducing the number of international students could financially cripple many US universities, which rely heavily on tuition from overseas applicants. He acknowledged that while he may not want them personally, he recognises their importance from a business standpoint, calling their presence beneficial for the education sector and the broader economy.

Trump pointed out that students from countries such as China contribute significantly to the US economy, paying much higher tuition fees than domestic students. A sharp drop in their numbers, he said, could even force several colleges to shut down. “I want our education system to succeed,” he added, emphasising that the issue should be viewed economically rather than politically.

Responding to suggestions that limiting foreign enrolment could open more opportunities for American students, Trump disagreed. He argued that such restrictions would severely hurt smaller institutions and historically Black colleges that depend on international tuition revenue. “If we cut the number of foreign students in half, nearly half of America’s colleges would go out of business,” he claimed.