The United States has seen nearly a 12 percent drop in the number of international PhD applicants at its 49 largest physics departments from 2017 to 2018, according to the American Physical Society, Forbes reported.
"The current administration's 'America First' mantra is causing [international students] a great deal of anxiety and fear," the University of Tulsa's Earl Johnson told Forbes.
The drops were pronounced at the most prestigious physics schools, where the drop was as high as 40 percent in international applications, and Chinese student applications declined 16.4 percent, according to the study.
"The elephant in the room, of course, is the tremendous shift in United States politics and, specifically, the country's attitude toward foreigners and non-citizens since early 2017," Forbes' Ethan Siegel wrote.
Before 2017, when President Donald Trump took office, the numbers had been steadily on the rise from 2005, Forbes reported.
"Physics students want to come to the United States from all over the world because they know their educational and career opportunities here will be extraordinary," American Physical Society President Roger Falcone said, per Forbes. "Our country's research, technology, and economy have been enormously strengthened by a positive attitude towards such immigration of students. We should continue to be a welcoming place, and to embrace open and global mobility for people."
Forbes added data from a 2017 international student survey, which revealed:
- 33 percent of international had decreased interest coming to American in 2017-18 due to the political climate.
- Among the reasons for concern: 69 percent said the current administration; 55 percent said travel restrictions; and 53 percent were concerned for their personal safety.
- 48 percent of international students surveyed expected to face prejudice and discrimination for being from another country.
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