In yet another chapter of the dynamics of US immigration policy, the Trump administration is considering implementing a new $100,000 fee for recent US university graduates who wish to remain in the country through formal employment. This proposal, considering the current American academic landscape, would undermine a "tradition" in universities of hiring recent graduates to join their workforce, as well as other major recruiters of this group, such as technology companies and giants in the financial sector.

This initiative is considered only a consideration by the federal government, as mentioned by the representative of the Department of Homeland Security: "No policy should be considered definitive until its final announcement." However, the proposal recalls other instances in which the $100,000 fee has already been suggested by the White House, such as for H-1B visa applicants and, possibly, for those seeking a Green Card, a document that allows legal entry into the United States.

For sectors of civil society, such a proposal could represent a turning point for the United States, especially regarding the idea of ​​the permanence of knowledge and diversity that American universities ensure for the country. When analyzing the most renowned universities, especially the "Ivy Leagues," it is possible to notice the impact of foreign students on their student bodies. In 2023, 23% of the students at the eight universities that make up the "Ivy League" group (Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Princeton, UPenn, Brown, Cornell, and Dartmouth) were foreigners; In Columbia, that number reached 40%, much higher than Harvard's 25%, which is frequently considered one of the best universities in the world. In this sense, it is noteworthy how measures such as the implementation of the possible tax can represent a risk to the American educational system, especially for the most traditional universities with international recognition.

This is because many students would be interested in an education that would allow them to start a relevant career in the United States, a characteristic very present in the country's education system, which builds important bridges with relevant sectors of the economy, especially technology and finance. Thus, when possible immigration measures affecting this group of students are presented, it is possible that economic and social impacts will already be felt, especially for those who have not yet started the process of entering American education. For example, according to projections from the “Institute of International Education” (IIE) for the 2026-2027 academic year, the country experienced a drop of approximately 112,000 new students enrolling in national institutions. In the last academic year, 1,169,000 international students began their studies in the country, a number higher than the 1,057,000 students who enrolled in the current academic year. Furthermore, these projections indicate a drop in revenue for universities of US$3.4 billion and the loss of 40,000 jobs.

Therefore, it is possible to note the main impacts of the current Trump administration's immigration policies on international students, an important component of the US economy. Even though it's just a proposal, the new $100,000 fee could make the country less attractive to prospective students, who would then seek other countries to pursue their studies and careers. Therefore, it's important to monitor the development of this initiative and any future changes from the federal government regarding immigration.