Trump Immigration Policy Harms Colleges With Far More Workers Than Steel Mills

The Trump administration has damaged U.S. universities by withholding funding and restricting international students, but those institutions employ far more workers than the steel mills Donald Trump has lavished with favorable policies. Trump has imposed tariffs to protect jobs in a steel industry that employs a relatively small number of workers. Those tariffs have preserved jobs in the industry but have hurt companies that use steel. The Trump administration’s immigration policies have harmed the economic well-being of universities by imposing new restrictions on international students, including a recent proposed rule to limit students to four-year stay. Current Immigration Policies Threaten More Jobs Than Steel Tariffs Preserve Although the Trump administration has favored steel mills over universities, U.S. higher education institutions employ far more people than the iron and steel industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total employment at iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing was 84,880 in 2024. At colleges, universities and professional schools, total employment in 2024 was 3,163,150. The numbers show that colleges, universities and professional schools employ approximately 35 times more people than iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing. People employed at educational institutions also, on average, earn higher salaries. The median annual salary was $65,900 at colleges, universities and professional schools in 2024, compared to a median annual salary of $60,210 at iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing, according to BLS. On June 3, 2025, Donald Trump signed a proclamation to raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% on imports from most countries. An economic analysis of the Trump administration’s 2018 tariffs on steel and aluminum estimated that for every steel or aluminum job gained, 18 jobs were lost. The study for Trade Partnership Worldwide by economists Joseph Francois and Laura M. Baughman found, “The tariffs and retaliation would increase U.S. steel employment and non-ferrous metals (primarily aluminum) employment by 26,346 jobs, but cost a net of 495,136 jobs throughout the rest of the economy, for a total net loss of nearly 470,000 jobs.” MORE FOR YOU Where To See A ‘Blood Moon’ Total Lunar Eclipse This Weekend We Made 150 Pizzas With A Dozen Ovens—Here Are The Best Pizza Ovens The 6 Best Places To Buy Contacts Online In 2025 (Including My Personal Go-To) Current tariffs on steel and aluminum affect many U.S. companies. “Thanks to tariffs (esp re: Canada), U.S. aluminum prices are now roughly 50% higher than in Europe & Japan, thus putting U.S. manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage,” noted Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics at the Cato Institute, on X.com. White House trade and other economic policies have raised alarms. “Economists have long linked free markets with individual freedom, state control of the economy with the power of government to decide which companies prosper and which industries provide jobs in which states,” writes economist Irwin Stelzer in The Sunday Times (UK). “Trump has displaced those market forces with, well, himself.” CEO: C-suite news, analysis, and advice for top decision makers right to your inbox. Email Address Sign Up By signing up, you agree to receive this newsletter, other updates about Forbes and its affiliates’ offerings, our Terms of Service (including resolving disputes on an individual basis via arbitration), and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. US-POLITICS-INDUSTRY-TRADE-STEEL Donald Trump arrives to speak during a rally at US Steel in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, May 30, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images symbol 00:01 03:12 Read More Immigration Policies Threaten U.S. Universities Despite more than 3 million people being employed in U.S. higher education, the Trump administration has enacted several policies that threaten many universities. These policies include withholding federal research funding and new restrictions against international students. “Universities are already feeling the squeeze: USC faces a $200 million budget gap and will likely do a major round of layoffs, while the University of Utah moves to cut 81 academic programs,” reported Quartz. The policies, including a temporary suspension of student visa interviews and enhanced scrutiny of applicants, have had an impact. The number of international students arriving on visas to the United States declined by 28.5% in July 2025 compared to July 2024, according to data reported by the U.S. International Trade Administration. That includes a drop of almost 50% for students from India. “Stevens Institute of Technology laid off 45 staff members earlier this month, according to school officials who blamed the cuts partly on Trump administration policy changes affecting international students,” reports NJ.com. The Trump administration has investigated 50 universities and banned the entry of students to attend Harvard. The 50 universities collectively employ far more people than the steel industry. In a settlement with Columbia University, Trump officials obligated the school to pay $200 million to the U.S. Treasury and “examine its business model and take steps to decrease financial dependence on international student enrollment.” (Emphasis added.) Research indicates international students are vital to many U.S. universities and a key source of talent for many American companies. “Without immigrants, international students and the children of immigrants, the undergraduate student population in America would be almost 5 million students smaller in 2037 than 2022, or about two-thirds of its current size, while the graduate student population would be at least 1.1 million students smaller, or only about 60% of its current size,” according to a National Foundation for American Policy study by Madeline Zavodny, an economics professor at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. A significant decline in immigrants and international students would likely result in many colleges and universities closing, according to the research, leading to fewer educational opportunities for Americans and fewer higher education-related jobs in many states and towns, as well as a smaller number of college-educated workers in the economy. The Trump administration has focused its economic policy on using tariffs to bring back low-wage jobs, which increases costs for other workers, instead of enacting tax and regulatory changes and other policies, such as promoting an education system that equips workers for the jobs of tomorrow, said Bryan Riley, director of the National Taxpayers Union’s Free Trade Initiative, in an interview. “Strengthening our higher education system would promote good jobs for the more than three million Americans who work in that sector and prepare students for the jobs of the future,” said Riley. “In contrast, tariffs represent a misguided attempt to bring back the jobs of yesteryear.” For more information, visit us at https://www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com/.