Homeland Security Corrects Major Error: International Student Enrollment in U.S. Rose in 2023-24
New data shows 6.5% growth in foreign student population after DHS underreported figures by over 200,000
In a dramatic reversal, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has corrected a significant data error regarding international student enrollment in the United States, confirming that the number of international students increased in 2023 — not declined, as previously reported.
The correction comes after Chris Glass, a professor at Boston College, uncovered a discrepancy in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) data that originally underreported international enrollment by more than 200,000 students. The DHS quietly updated the figures earlier this month after Glass flagged the issue on July 7.
What the Corrected Data Shows
The updated SEVIS data now lists 1,294,231 active international students as of September 2023, up from the erroneously reported 1,091,182. This reflects a 6.5% year-over-year increase, signaling a healthy rebound in global academic mobility to the U.S.
This upward revision aligns with the findings of the Open Doors Report, released jointly by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education, which also highlighted a record number of international students in the 2023–24 academic year.
“The revised numbers show robust growth,” Glass told CNBC. “It’s critical data at a moment when people are paying close attention to the number of international students in the U.S.”
SEVIS data covers a wide range of international students — not only those enrolled in universities and colleges but also those attending U.S. high schools, language institutes, flight schools, and vocational training programs.
The correction comes amid heightened scrutiny of international student policies under the Trump administration, which has made immigration and education reform central to its second-term agenda.
In recent months, President Donald Trump and Harvard University have been at odds over international student visas. In May, the DHS terminated Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, effectively blocking new international students from enrolling. The move triggered widespread backlash from the academic community.
A federal judge later stepped in. In June, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs granted Harvard a preliminary injunction, temporarily halting the ban and allowing international students to continue their studies while litigation proceeds.
Harvard at the Center of the Debate
Harvard is particularly affected by changes in international education policy. In the 2024–25 academic year, international students made up 27% of the university’s total enrollment, a sharp increase from 22.5% a decade ago. Nationally, foreign students comprise less than 6% of the overall U.S. higher education population.
“Harvard’s Schools continue to make plans to ensure that our international students and scholars will be able to pursue their academic work fully,” said Harvard President Alan Garber in early June.
Impact on Students and U.S. Education
The DHS correction comes at a crucial time. The global education sector is still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions, and international student flows are a major source of revenue and research talent for U.S. institutions.
Foreign students also significantly contribute to the U.S. economy — bringing in an estimated $38 billion annually, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Bigger Picture: Politics and Policy
The mix-up in the numbers adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing political battle over immigration, education, and global competitiveness. With Trump doubling down on nationalist policy proposals in his reelection campaign — including plans to slash Pell Grants and reform student lending — international students and universities are bracing for more upheaval.
The DHS’s decision to quietly update the data without public acknowledgment has raised eyebrows, especially at a time when public trust in government transparency is under strain.
For now, the future of international enrollment remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: despite political headwinds, the U.S. remains a top destination for students around the globe.
