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Over the past four years, the Trump administration made it for students from other countries to study in the United States.

In 2017, the number of new international students enrolled at American colleges and universities – that is, those just coming to the U.S. for the first time – declined for the . , and all contributed to over each of the following years of Trump's presidency.

President Joe Biden's election signals a new day for international education. This is evident based on a slew of Biden's , many of which revoked immigration and travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. Additionally, to Congress aimed at reforming the nation's immigration system.

As a university administrator who , I foresee five major ways the United States may once again become the top choice for students from around the world during the Biden administration.

1. Reform of the immigration system

In 2019, the total number of enrolled international students – that is, newly-arrived students as well as those already studying in the U.S. – since 2005. And the economic impact of international students .

While the declining number of international students , as well as the in which they are based, there is renewed optimism that things will change.

That's because the Biden administration has expressed a in ways that respond to economic needs and prevent the U.S. from losing talent to other nations. This includes making it easier for international students who are working on advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – or STEM – to stay and .

How much Biden can actually reform the immigration system remains to be seen. But international applications to U.S. colleges for this fall are compared to a year ago. This suggests a in the U.S. as a study destination. It also serves as a hopeful sign that international enrollment will soon rebound, presuming Biden's handling of the pandemic than that of his predecessor.

2. Elimination of discriminatory bans

On his first day in office, Biden revoked the Trump administration's so-called and other discriminatory restrictions on travel and entry in favor of strengthening information-sharing relationships with foreign governments.

Biden's executive orders will increase STEM field diversity by bringing in more international students to the U.S.

While many of the country-specific restrictions did not directly affect people with student visas, the policy had a broad cooling effect. Consider the in student visas issued to applicants from countries included in the bans. For instance, student visas issued to Iranian nationals fell by 59%, from to .

Biden's approach to national security aims to keep would-be threats from entering the U.S. while allowing for citizen diplomacy efforts, such as , to resume. This tactic will ultimately represented on college campuses. Such diversity for all.

3. Protections for Dreamers

Undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children – often known as Dreamers – faced an uncertain future under Trump. The Trump administration for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program – which extends certain protections to Dreamers – that was established under the Obama administration. And this occurred even after the .

Biden issued a memorandum aimed at the same day he was sworn in. While further actions are needed to achieve these goals, the memorandum should provide the country's more than with the hope that a is not far off.

4. Options for graduates to stay

Even before he was elected, that immigrants were taking jobs away from American workers. This is a notion largely , and .

In sharp contrast to his predecessor, making it easier for international students with advanced degrees in STEM fields to receive work visas and apply for permanent residency. If successful, Biden would enable the U.S. to retain a greater number of who are critical for continued economic growth. Just consider that had a founder who first arrived to the U.S. as an international student.

STEM products and services are the focus of many of these companies, which create an average of 1,200 new jobs each.

5. Boost for global science

, the top recommendation that researchers around the world have for the Biden administration is to expand scientific collaborations between the U.S. and other countries.

The exchange of ideas between students and scholars from different parts of the world is important for and addressing global threats that range from to . However, research indicates that two of the most significant barriers to international collaboration are a .

Biden's decisions to to a Cabinet-level position, and reverse the previous administration's move to all indicate that . This could help address current barriers to international collaboration.

Biden's commitments to "" and to the U.S. not only bode well for U.S. colleges, universities and companies but also hold the promise of by in science and technology.

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