Fall quarter at Shoreline College has seen fewer international student enrollments than in previous quarters. This isn’t just affecting Shoreline—it’s a nationwide trend—but it disproportionately impacts the college. Shoreline focuses significant resources on educating international students and supporting their learning. Last year, the college’s president even traveled to China to promote the college and foster international connections.

The college is already under financial stress from an ongoing budget crunch, and this situation adds fuel to the fire. In an interview earlier this quarter, President Jack Kahn said, “Our international student population is down this quarter. Right now, it’s somewhere between 8 and 10% down.” These students represent an important part of both the college’s culture and its revenue. According to the Board of Trustees, the drop in international student attendance has contributed to a reduction of approximately one million dollars in funding.

To understand the larger picture, we reached out to Eric Hamako, President of the Shoreline Community College Federation of Teachers (SCCFT). He explained, “At the federal level, it seems that government policies have been restricting many international students’ access to American higher education. And at the same time, federal-level rhetoric, with its xenophobia and racism, I think also has a chilling effect on many international students.” He noted that the U.S.’s international policies and treatment of residents shape how the country is perceived worldwide.

Hamako, whose union is part of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), added, “For many years, the federal government has been trying to choke off funding for American higher education, and this restriction of international student education access is, I think, a part of that.”

An excerpt from the Shoreline College Foundation Newsletter also highlighted the impact: “International students have long been a vital part of Shoreline’s community—enriching classrooms, contributing to the local economy, and supporting the college’s financial health. Their absence is felt deeply”.

We also spoke with Yushin Wung, Assistant Director of the International Student Office, who emphasized ongoing recruitment efforts: “We have staff who travel to other countries to talk to students and their families and schools about Shoreline and about coming to Shoreline. And those staff hear lots of things from students. Many of them are still really excited to come here. They really want a U.S. education.”