April 2, 2026: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- 30 minutes ago
- 7 min read
So…the latest health news I read THIS week…
By adding 5 minutes of sleep, 2 minutes of exercise, and half a serving of vegetables each day...you could add a year or more to your life.
Seems suspiciously….doable.
I guess I can sleep more...now that you twisted my arm with science.
What else is easy to do? Get caught up on the latest headlines this week:
📰 Top Headlines: A travel ban keeps a grieving couple separated after the loss of their newborn, a college strike could force international students out of status, and Congress turns up pressure on universities over foreign influence concerns.
🔍 Interesting Find: Umm.. The Three Musketeers were real (say what?)…and archaeologists may have found the remains of one of them in the Netherlands (say what…what?)
🎓 Featured Scholarship Resource: A helpful video I found that breaks down how international students can find full-ride scholarships.
⚡ Immigration Corner Deep Dive: The H-1B system is changing fast—and I watched an incredibly helpful webinar that covered what international students should know now. I share the highlights and how you can watch the replay.
You ready? Let's do this!
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
💔 Travel ban keeps grieving couple separated across borders
An Iranian Ph.D. student at Rutgers University is grieving the loss of her newborn while separated from her husband due to U.S. visa restrictions. Safa Sefidgari, who lives in New Jersey on an F-1 student visa, went into early labor and endured childbirth and hospitalization alone while her husband remained stuck in Canada. Their baby died a week after birth, and he was still unable to travel to the United States to be with her. Despite being the spouse of an international student, her husband has been repeatedly denied an F-2 visa, with one denial explicitly citing the Trump administration’s travel ban on Iran. The policy, intended for national security, has left many families in limbo, unable to reunite even during emergencies. As legal challenges continue, the couple’s story highlights how immigration policies can turn already devastating moments into prolonged separation, with no clear timeline for resolution. (NBC News)
⚠️ College strike could force international students to leave the U.S.
An ongoing faculty strike at Portland Community College is leaving thousands of students in limbo—but for international students, the stakes are much higher. Because F-1 visa rules require students to maintain full-time enrollment, canceled or delayed classes could put their legal status at risk. If the strike continues, students may be forced to quickly transfer to another school or leave the United States altogether to avoid falling out of status. The situation is especially difficult given tight deadlines, limited transfer options, and financial barriers, including the need to prove funding for a new school on short notice. Some students also face the risk of not being able to return if they leave, due to ongoing visa restrictions affecting certain countries. With an April deadline approaching, many are left waiting and hoping the strike ends soon—while preparing for the possibility of major disruptions to their education and immigration status. (Portland Mercury)
🏛️ Congress presses universities on foreign influence, with Michigan in the spotlight
The interim president of the University of Michigan pushed back during a congressional hearing against claims that the university failed to address foreign espionage risks tied to China. Lawmakers raised concerns about research security, foreign funding, and whether universities are doing enough to monitor international partnerships, especially in sensitive fields like engineering and advanced technology. Some members questioned whether existing safeguards are strong enough, warning that foreign governments may be exploiting academic collaborations to access valuable research. In response, university leadership emphasized that Michigan follows federal guidelines, conducts risk assessments, and has strengthened compliance systems in recent years. A House committee report released alongside the hearing echoed these concerns, arguing that higher education institutions remain vulnerable to foreign influence and calling for stronger enforcement and transparency. Adding to the broader concern, Stanford student Elsa Johnson recently said she was approached and encouraged to share information, describing what she believed was an attempt to recruit her as a spy—highlighting how these risks may extend beyond institutions to students themselves. (The Michigan Daily) | (House Committee on Education & Workforce) | (The Times)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE
Finding a full-ride scholarship as an international student
Finding funding as an international student is harder—but not impossible. I came across this video that breaks down three types of schools international students can focus on: need-blind (rare but generous), need-aware (more common with strong aid), and merit-focused institutions that reward achievements. The video also shares examples of universities that can cover up to 100% of demonstrated need, along with tips to improve your chances of securing major funding…maybe even a full ride. (The Scholarship System)
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
⚔️ The Three Musketeers…were real??
Hmm...d’Artagnan was an actual person...I guess I missed that in Jr High English class. Archaeologists now believe they may have found the remains of the man who inspired d'Artagnan, the famous hero from The Three Musketeers. He wasn’t just fiction—he served as a real musketeer in 17th-century France and died in battle. Researchers think newly discovered remains could finally confirm where he was buried, something historians have debated for centuries. Astronauts may be circling the Earth right now, but my brain is stuck 350 years in the past…trying to process this. (NPR)
News in 1 Sentence
A proposed immigration rule would raise the required salaries for H-1B visas and employment-based green cards, potentially limiting access for employers and international workers.
Amid visa uncertainty, Georgetown international students are urging the university to provide more integrated and consistent career guidance support.
Lawsuit against ICE filed by the ACLU of Ohio alleges warrantless arrests, including of U.S. citizens, and other constitutional violations.
Department of Homeland Security rolls back a pause on asylum decisions, restarting case processing and potentially affecting thousands of pending applications.
International students at Baylor debate their level of involvement in student government and the challenges of representation on campus.
Trump Administration must restore legal status to thousands of immigrants after a federal judge rules in their favor.
International students are recognized at Ohio State’s 40th Hayes Research Forum for their academic contributions and research achievements.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
The H-1B Shake-Up:
What International Students Need to Know Right Now
Last week, I mentioned that the International Student Resource Center (ISRC) is one of my new go-to resources for staying updated on immigration-related news—and here they are proving my point again.
On March 31, ISRC hosted a webinar in collaboration with the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, breaking down the latest H-1B changes, what might be coming next, and—most importantly—resources international students can actually use.
There’s a lot happening right now. Policies are shifting quickly, and it can feel overwhelming. But this webinar did a great job of making things clearer.
Here are the 4 biggest takeaways I had from this webinar and thought you would find helpful.
And here is the replay if you want to dive even deeper on your own. But please keep in mind, things keep changing...so depending on when you watch and read this article...something new may have happened. So keep staying tuned!
1. Quick Recap: How the H-1B Lottery Works Now
The biggest change is how the H-1B lottery works. It’s no longer random.
Now, it’s wage-based. Higher salaries get more entries in the lottery, which means better chances of being selected.
This clearly favors more experienced, higher-paid workers. For recent graduates—especially those in entry-level roles—this can make things much harder.
In simple terms: your chances are now tied to your salary, not just luck. That’s a major shift in strategy for students early in their careers.
2. Selection Rates Are Up…But....
At first glance, things look better. Early reports suggest selection rates may be around 50%, which is higher than in previous years.
But that doesn’t tell the full story.
Candidates in higher wage levels (Level 3–4) are seeing strong results. Meanwhile, entry-level candidates (Level 1–2), especially without advanced degrees, are seeing much lower odds.
So yes, selection rates are up—but not evenly. For many students, it may actually feel harder than before.
3. Fewer Employers Are Participating
Another major shift: fewer employers may be entering the H-1B process.
Early estimates suggest registrations could be down significantly—possibly by as much as 50%.
Why? Two main reasons:
A new $100,000 H-1B fee
Additional registration costs
While that $100,000 fee mainly applies to candidates outside the U.S., there’s still a lot of confusion. Some employers assume it applies to everyone—and decide not to sponsor at all.
4. A Major Wage Increase Could Be Coming
Like I shared earlier in this newsletter, there’s a proposed rule that could significantly increase required wages for H-1B roles.
The estimates are big:
Entry-level wages could increase by about 33%
Mid to higher-level wages could increase by 20%+
If this becomes final, it would make hiring international talent more expensive—and potentially reduce opportunities even further.
For now, it’s still just a proposal. Public comments are open until May 26, and it may face legal challenges. But it’s something every student should be aware of.
More Changes on the Horizon…So What Students Should Do Right Now
More possible shifts are happening along with these H-1B changes, such as:
Possible changes to “duration of status”
Increased scrutiny on OPT
State-level restrictions in places like Texas and Florida
Oh yes…we’ve been following these headlines…haven’t we folks?
The key takeaway the panelists had from this webinar: this isn’t just one policy change. It’s a larger shift in how the system works.
So what should international students be doing to prepare?
The panel suggested that first, start planning earlier than ever. Waiting until your final year is no longer enough.
Second, don’t rely only on the H-1B. Explore other pathways like J-1, TN, or L-1 visas.
Third, be ready to educate employers. Many still misunderstand the rules—especially around fees and eligibility.
Finally, stay flexible. The most successful students right now are the ones with multiple options and backup plans.
Check out these free resources to help you start exploring other possible options.
Take advantage of the ISRC Help Desk. It’s free and connects you with real experts who can help you think through your situation.
And if you haven’t already, check out the ISRC report: Understanding the H-1B Visa Lottery, and Options if Not Selected. It’s one of the most practical guides out there right now.
Thank you to ISRC and the President's Alliance for hosting such an informative and timely webinar!
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Disclaimer: International Student Voice is not an immigration attorney or immigration advisor. The purpose of this newsletter is strictly educational. Always consult with qualified legal counsel for advice specific to your situation.