Washington: A university in New Hampshire could face the loss of up to 2,000 international graduate students if the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not approve a pending application linked to a new doctoral programme before a key deadline, lawmakers have warned.

The issue was raised during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's fiscal year 2027 budget request, where concerns were voiced about delays affecting New England College and its plans to enrol foreign students in a new Doctorate in Business Administration programme.

Deadline sparks concern

During the hearing, New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen highlighted what she described as an urgent situation facing the college.

Addressing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Shaheen said the institution must receive approval by July 1 to avoid major consequences for its international student intake.

"As I explained on the phone, there is real urgency about this because, without approval by July 1st, they're going to potentially lose 2,000 students, graduate students," Shaheen said during the hearing.

College supports high-demand fields

Shaheen said the college offers programmes that prepare students for careers in several fast-growing sectors, including artificial intelligence, national security and healthcare management.

"This is a university that prepares students for jobs in artificial intelligence, national security, health care management, a lot of other high-demand, high-skill professions," she said.

The senator also stressed the institution's importance to both the local community and New Hampshire's economy, noting that international enrolment plays a significant role in its operations.

Questions over F-1 student enrolment approval

Seeking clarity on the matter, Shaheen asked the department for an update on the college's application to enrol international students under the F-1 visa programme in its new doctoral course.

The F-1 visa is the primary pathway used by foreign students pursuing education in the United States.

The senator urged the department to provide information on the status of the application as the July deadline approaches.

DHS says review is underway

Responding to the concerns, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the department had already started reviewing the request.

"We've got the point of contact. We'd asked for the point of contact for the college; I believe we did receive that, and we give it to USCIS," Mullin said.

He added that discussions regarding the matter had taken place only a few days earlier and indicated that officials were actively working on the issue.

"I don't think there's going to be much of one, because we just talked about this Thursday, I believe, and so I think we're working on it," he said when asked about an update.

Promise of immediate follow-up

Shaheen pointed out during the hearing that the college had not yet received any communication from the department regarding the application.

In response, Mullin promised to follow up directly and ensure the institution received a response.

"If they haven't heard back from them I will -- they will hear back from them today -- not -- well, tomorrow," he said.

International students play key role

The discussion underscored the growing importance of international students to universities across the United States, particularly in graduate-level programmes.

Many institutions rely heavily on overseas enrolment in fields such as science, technology, business, engineering, healthcare and artificial intelligence.

India has become one of the largest contributors of international students studying in the United States. Indian enrolment has increased significantly in recent years, especially in postgraduate programmes focused on technology, engineering, business studies and AI-related disciplines.

Agency inputs