August 14, 2025: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- Aug 13, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 24, 2025
Somewhere...out there...modems are letting out their last screech.
AOL announced it's finally discontinuing its dial-up service...landlines will be freed up officially on Sept. 30.
I tip my hat in respect to dial-up...We walked on dial-up so we could run on high-speed WiFi to keep up with today's headlines....here's a highlight of what's going on this week:
Top Headlines: The U.S. moves closer to setting strict time limits on F-1 and J-1 student visas --where it stands now
Scholarship Feature: San Jose State University Global Spartan Scholarship
H-1B Shake-Up: The Heritage Foundation, known for its conservative policies, is calling for a complete overhaul—replacing the visa lottery with a wage-based system. I dig into the pros, cons, and what it could mean for international students
Let's dive in!
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
📋 US Student Visa Time Limits Approach Final Approval
The Department of Homeland Security is moving forward with plans to establish fixed time periods for F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor visas, potentially requiring students to renew their visas before completing their studies. The proposal would replace the current "duration of status" system and could limit student visas to 2-4 years depending on country of origin. This means most students would need to file extensions to complete their degrees, adding bureaucratic burden and costs. The rule is now entering public comment period after OMB review. (The PIE News)
🚫 US Pauses Visa Applications from Zimbabwe
The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe announced a pause on all routine visa applications starting Friday as part of the Trump administration's efforts to "prevent visa overstay and misuse." This comes days after the U.S. introduced a pilot program requiring citizens of Malawi and Zambia to pay bonds of up to $15,000 for tourist or business visas. The restrictions are part of broader immigration enforcement policies targeting African nations, with Zimbabwe among 36 countries asked to improve travel documentation or face potential bans. (ABC News)
⚖️ DHS Says It Will Not Use May 22 Letter to Revoke Harvard's SEVP Certification
The Department of Homeland Security announced it will not enforce its May 22 letter that attempted to immediately revoke Harvard's certification to host international students. Government lawyers described the decision as an effort to "simplify this case and narrow the issues in dispute." However, the agency is still pursuing a separate withdrawal process initiated in May, and the federal government continues investigating Harvard through subpoenas and other measures. Harvard's international students remain under threat despite this legal development. (The Harvard Crimson)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP
San Jose State University Global Spartan Scholarship
FrogHire.ai just released its 2025 Career Outcome University Ranking, and San Jose State University secured the top spot for exceptional ROI for international students (see below). This scholarship is specifically designed for international students who are F-1 visa holders and can show academic and leadership excellence. It's renewable each semester - the amount varies based on funds available. If you want to learn more and apply, reply to this email to learn about our services.
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
🌉 Italy's $15.7 Billion Bridge Dream: Connecting Sicily to the Mainland
After decades of delays, Italy has approved construction of what would be the world's longest single-span suspension bridge, stretching 2 miles across the Strait of Messina to connect Sicily to mainland Italy. The ambitious project faces challenges, including earthquake risks and strong winds, but construction is planned to begin in May 2026 and finish by 2032. If completed, the bridge could create over 100,000 jobs and handle 6,000 vehicles per hour, plus 200 trains daily. (NPR)
News in 1 Sentence
Number of green cards could increase under a new bipartisan congressional proposal called the Dignity Act of 2025, which would expand permanent residency eligibility and reduce visa backlogs.
Rubio sued over international student deportations by advocacy group FIRE, challenging the constitutionality of using immigration statutes to deport legal noncitizens for protected speech alone.
FrogHire.ai releases 2025 Career Outcome University Ranking with San Jose State University claiming the #1 spot for international student ROI, based on salary outcomes and green card sponsorship data.
ICE rewrites international student data without explanation, making retroactive changes to 27 months of SEVIS records with discrepancies ranging from 5% to over 200% in some categories.
UND commercial aviation student from Mali wins 2025 Western Union Global Scholarship, becoming the first female pilot from her country upon graduation.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
Conservative Think Tank's Proposed H-1B Reform Plan
Let's face it. The current H-1B visa process can be an absolute nightmare. Is there a better way to recruit and keep talent in the US without all the stress and uncertainty?
Well...from all organizations to release proposals...I was surprised that the Heritage Foundation released a comprehensive report on H-1B visa reform.
Given their conservative reputation, I was curious what they'd propose for overhauling this critical pathway for many international students to continue working in the country.
It may not surprise you - this report supports the proposal President Trump recently shared: replacing the current lottery system with a wage-based ranking system.
When the H-1 visa category started in 1952, it was meant to attract those of "distinguished merit and ability." In 1990, it was then split into the H-1A (just for nurses- no longer exists) and H-1B - for all others in "specialty occupations."
So in theory...if you have top, "specialty" talent that Americans can't fill...companies should pay top dollar for it.
According to report, they collected data from USCIS, the Department of Labor, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to support why a wage-based system is a good idea.
So...is it?
You can read the report yourself...or read my summary below.
The Current State of the H-1B Visa
From 2020-2023, data shows the following:
450,000 H-1B applications were approved
Indian nationals received 73.7%
Chinese nationals 16.4%
Most recipients are between 25-30 years old - recent graduates transitioning from student visas (in fact, nearly 55% were previously on an F-1 visa).
It stated that only 15.8% of H-1B workers earn top-tier wages, while nearly half earn below-median levels for their positions (see chart below).
Level 1: Entry level
Level 2: Qualified
Level 3: Experienced
Level 4: Fully competent
Major employers like Amazon, Infosys, and TCS dominate the system, with many using H-1B workers as alleged cost-cutting measures rather than filling genuine skill gaps.
The report claimed that the current lottery system essentially leaves critical immigration policy "to chance."
Meanwhile, H-1B workers consistently earn less than their U.S. counterparts across all job categories, and the visa's employer-tied structure creates "labor market stickiness" - making it difficult for workers to change jobs or negotiate better conditions.
Yes...based on my prior conversations with international students...many would agree.
Heritage Foundation's Proposed Solution
Their recommendation? Scrap the random lottery entirely and replace it with a wage-based ranking system. Under this approach, employers offering the highest salaries (adjusted for regional cost differences) would get priority for H-1B visas.
Their economic modeling they designed showed dramatic results. Software developers, for example, would see wages jump from $115,000 to $203,000.
The idea is simple: if employers truly need specialized foreign talent, they should be willing to pay premium wages for it.
The report stated that a wage-based approach would discourage low-wage outsourcing while prioritizing positions with genuine skill shortages.
It further stated that companies couldn't game the system by offering below-market salaries - they'd need to compete on compensation.
Pros and Cons of a Wage-Based System
The report goes alllllll in on why this is such a good idea.
Instead of crossing your fingers in a lottery, your earning potential would directly influence your H-1B chances. Higher starting salaries could become the norm, not the exception.
The report also stated that the system might also reduce the dominance of outsourcing firms, potentially creating more opportunities for direct employers who are willing to invest in top talent.
Lastly, the report argues that the current system displaces US workers because companies allegedly utilize underpaid H-1B workers. So this new system would allegedly focus on H-1B workers for only specialized areas.
The report doesn't touch on any drawbacks to such a proposal. I'm thinking some possible drawbacks could be:
New graduates usually start at entry-level salaries, so they're at a disadvantage against more experienced workers.
International students are only allowed to work 20 hours per week during the academic year, so it's harder to gain valuable experience to compete with more experienced workers.
STEM fields naturally have higher salaries, so they would be heavily favored. Other fields could be dramatically affected.
Students would feel pressure to strategically choose only high-paying majors/specializations.
What do you think? Is a wage-based selection process a good idea?
If you have been through the H-1B visa process, what has been your experience?
Reply and let me know!
In the meantime...I'll keep you posted on any developments with this proposal.
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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.
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