华盛顿：美国教育工作者警告称，特朗普政府一项关于向每名寻求工作经验的国际学生向大学征收7万美元费用的提议，可能会阻碍外国学生前往美国接受高等教育。
WASHINGTON: American educators have warned that a Trump administration proposal to charge universities US$70,000 for each international student seeking work experience could discourage foreign students from pursuing higher education in the United States.
这项拟议的收费将适用于“选择性实习训练”（OPT）计划，该计划允许符合条件的国际学生在学习期间或毕业后获得与其专业相关的实习工作经验。
The proposed fee would apply to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows eligible international students to gain work experience related to their field during or after their studies.
教育专家表示，这项措施是美国总统唐纳德·特朗普更广泛的打击移民行动的一部分，可能会进一步削弱美国大学的吸引力，因为其他国家正在加紧努力吸引国际人才。他们警告称，该提议可能会给美国带来深远的经济和外交后果。
Education experts say the measure – part of US President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown – could further erode the appeal of American universities as other countries step up efforts to attract international talent. They warn that the proposal could have far-reaching economic and diplomatic consequences for the US.
工作机会是主要吸引力 每年有超过100万名国际学生在美国高等教育机构注册入学，他们被美国学位的声誉、进入领先研究机构的途径、专业网络以及在全球最大经济体获得实践经验的机会所吸引。
WORK OPPORTUNITIES A MAJOR DRAW More than a million international students enrol in US higher education institutions each year, attracted by the prestige of American degrees, access to leading research institutions, professional networks and opportunities to gain practical experience in the world's largest economy.
对许多人来说，在美国工作的远景是决定在哪里求学的一个重要因素。
For many, the prospect of working in the US is a significant factor in deciding where to pursue their education.
OPT计划为国际学生提供了将学术知识付诸实践的机会，同时也为美国雇主提供了招揽具备专业技能毕业生的渠道。
The OPT programme offers international students an opportunity to put their academic knowledge into practice, while giving American employers access to graduates with specialised skills.
代表大学校长们的美国教育委员会副总裁萨拉·斯普赖特泽表示：“能够在美国度过一段时间并获得在职培训的机会……对准学生来说非常重要。”
“That opportunity of being able to spend some time in the US getting on-the-job training … is something that’s very important to prospective students,” said Sarah Spreitzer, vice-president at the American Council on Education, which represents college and university presidents.
目前的OPT框架可追溯到1992年时任总统乔治·H·W·布什（老布什）执政时期。根据该计划，符合条件的外国学生可以从事与其主修专业直接相关的临时工作。
The current OPT framework dates back to 1992, under then-President George H W Bush. Under the programme, eligible foreign students can engage in temporary employment directly related to their major.
学生通常有资格获得最长一年的毕业后工作许可，而某些科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）领域的学生则有资格额外获得两年。目前学生需支付520美元的申请费。
Students are generally eligible for up to one year of post-graduation work, while those in certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can qualify for an additional two years. Students currently pay an application fee of US$520.
然而，根据特朗普政府的提案，大学将被要求为每名学生的申请支付7万美元，每次续签支付3万美元。
Under the Trump administration's proposal, however, universities would be required to pay US$70,000 for each student’s application and US$30,000 per renewal.
专家警告称，大学可能会将额外成本转嫁给学生，鉴于已经高昂的学费、生活费以及毕业后就业机会的不确定性，这将使赴美留学的吸引力大幅下降。
Experts warn that universities could pass the additional costs on to students, making studying in the US considerably less attractive given the already high tuition fees, living expenses and uncertainty over post-graduation job opportunities.
“这传递了一个信息：‘去别处吧’，”加州大学圣塔芭芭拉分校经济学教授迪克·斯塔茨说。
“It sends a message: ‘Go somewhere else’,” said Dick Startz, an economics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
“这将产生的主要影响是，从一开始就劝阻国际生来美国。这是美国能做出的有史以来最愚蠢的商业决策之一。” 数十亿美元利益攸关 潜在影响远远超出大学校园。
“The big effect this is going to have is to discourage international students from coming to the US in the first place. That’s one of all-time dumb business decisions the US could make.”BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT STAKE The potential impact extends well beyond university campuses.
国际生是美国高等教育机构及其周边社区的主要收入来源，他们通过学费、住宿、交通、餐饮和其他消费做出贡献。
International students are a major source of revenue for American higher education institutions and the communities surrounding them, contributing through tuition fees, accommodation, transport, food and other spending.
根据国际教育协会NAFSA的数据，在2024-2025学年，国际生为美国经济贡献了429亿美元，并支持了35.5万多个就业岗位。
During the 2024-2025 academic year, international students contributed US$42.9 billion to the US economy and supported more than 355,000 jobs, according to international education association NAFSA.
他们的消费有助于维持大学城和城市中房东、餐馆、零售商和服务提供商等商家的生计。因此，国际生入学人数的持续下降可能会损害当地经济和就业。衰退迹象已经出现。
Their spending helps sustain businesses in university towns and cities, including landlords, restaurants, retailers and service providers. A sustained decline in international enrolment could therefore hurt local economies and employment. Signs of a downturn have already emerged.
2025年秋季新入学国际生人数下降了17%，为新冠疫情以来最大跌幅。据估计，这一下降已使全美大学城损失超过10亿美元。
Enrolment of new international students in autumn 2025 fell 17 per cent, the sharpest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. The drop is estimated to have cost college cities nationwide more than US$1 billion.
教育工作者担心，随着有意向的学生权衡不断上涨的成本、更严格的移民限制以及其他地方的机会，这一趋势可能会加速。
Educators fear the trend could accelerate as prospective students weigh rising costs and tighter immigration restrictions against opportunities elsewhere.
“今年，他们预测（外国留学生入学人数的跌幅）很可能会翻倍（达到去年的两倍）。我认为，在本届政府剩余任期内，我们将继续看到（人数）减少，”斯普雷策说。
“This year, they are predicting that it will likely double (last year’s fall in foreign enrolment). And I think we will continue to see it reduce at least for the remainder of this administration,” said Spreitzer.
她警告称，即使未来的政府扭转移民限制，美国作为欢迎国际学生目的地的声誉受损也可能持续存在。
She warned that the damage to the US' reputation as a welcoming destination for international students could persist even if future administrations reverse the immigration restrictions.
“即使你把所有签证规则都改回特朗普政府之前的状态，我也不确定（学生人数）是否能恢复，”她说。
“I’m not sure if (the student numbers) is something that’s going to be able to come back, even if you change all of the visa rules to pre-Trump administration,” she said.
教育工作者还警告称，国际学生入学人数下降可能会削弱美国的研究和创新，特别是在高校和雇主在全球范围内争夺专业人才的领域。
Educators also warn that declining international enrolment could undermine American research and innovation, particularly in fields where universities and employers compete globally for specialised talent.
移民限制加剧不确定性 拟议的OPT费用出台之际，正值特朗普更广泛的移民打压行动中，该行动同时针对非法和合法移民。
IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS RAISE UNCERTAINTY The proposed OPT fees come amid Trump's wider immigration crackdown, which has targeted both illegal and legal immigration.
在最初专注于加强边境执法、防止非法越境后，政府推出了影响外国人合法入境、学习、生活和在美国工作的措施。
After initially focusing on tighter border enforcement and preventing unauthorised crossings, the administration has pursued measures affecting foreigners seeking to enter, study, live and work legally in the US.
收紧的限制加剧了美国高等教育领域的不确定性，引发了对其吸引国际学生竞争力的担忧，因为其他国家的大学正在加大招生力度。
The tightening restrictions have added to uncertainty across the US higher education sector, raising concerns about its ability to compete for international students as universities elsewhere step up recruitment efforts.
例如，韩国今年外国留学生人数激增21%，中国的国际生入学人数在疫情后也出现了反弹。
South Korea, for example, recorded a 21 per cent surge in foreign student numbers this year, while China has also experienced a rebound in international enrolment following the pandemic.
分析人士表示，提供更可预测的签证安排、负担得起的教育以及更清晰的毕业后就业途径的国家可能会获得优势。
Analysts say countries offering more predictable visa arrangements, affordable education and clearer post-graduation employment pathways could gain an advantage.
专家警告称，国际学生入学人数下降也可能削弱美国的全球影响力。
Experts warn that declining international enrolment could also weaken America's global influence.
许多毕业生带着专业人脉、个人关系以及对美国体制和文化的熟悉回到祖国。专家表示，这些联系通常被视为美国软实力的重要来源，有助于加强外交、商业和文化关系。
Many graduates return to their home countries with professional connections, personal relationships and familiarity with American institutions and culture. Experts say such ties are often regarded as an important source of US soft power, helping strengthen diplomatic, commercial and cultural relationships.
“世界各地的许多商界和政界领袖都曾在美国学习，”斯塔茨（Startz）说。“如果你在美国度过了一段时间，你回国后就会喜欢美国人，这就是软实力。失去这一点是一个非常、非常糟糕的政治和安全决定。”关于拟议的OPT费用的公众咨询期预计将持续到11月9日，这为高校、教育机构和其他利益相关者提供了提交反馈的机会。
“(Many) leaders in business and politics all around the world have studied in the US,” said Startz. “If you spend some time in the US, you go home liking Americans, and that’s soft power. Losing that is a very, very bad political and security decision.”A public consultation period on the proposed OPT fees is scheduled to run until Nov 9, giving universities, education organisations and other stakeholders an opportunity to submit feedback.
如果最终敲定，这些措施预计将面临来自高等教育团体或商业协会的法律挑战，这可能会推迟其实施。
If finalised, the measures are expected to face legal challenges from higher education groups or business associations, potentially delaying their implementation.
不过，教育工作者警告称，围绕该提议的不确定性本身就可能会吓退潜在申请人，甚至在任何新费用生效之前就会如此。
Still, educators warn that uncertainty surrounding the proposal could itself deter prospective applicants, even before any new fees take effect.