[__derek__]

It sounds like you're implying that the article blames the ban, which contradicts the context around that first quote:

> Given the timing, he and others suspect the cause is President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric during the campaign and his election, rather than the White House’s 27 January travel ban against seven Muslim-majority countries

Many graduate programs have application deadlines in January, which would leave sufficient time to consider Trump's immigration rhetoric after his November victory.