August 28, 2025: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- Aug 28
- 5 min read
In case you were distracted this week with your fellow Swifities over the major news of Taylor's engagement to Travis Kelcie...don't worry...I'll get you caught up on this week's international student news:
Top Headlines: US to review 55M visa holders for violations, Hawaii kicker from Japan who learned the game on YouTube, and Trump announces plan for 600,000 Chinese students.
Scholarship Spotlight: Southeast Missouri State offers international students up to $8,000 annually, with most awards given automatically at admission.
Federal Benefits Reality Check: Who actually qualifies for what? I break down the misinformation with a helpful chart that shows exactly what international students can and can't access.
Time to 🎵 shake off 🎵 the distractions...Let's dive in!
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
🚨 US to Review 55M Visa Holders for Potential Violations
The United States is set to review the records of more than 55 million U.S. visa holders to determine if they have broken conditions for entry or stay in the country. Officials stated that visas will be canceled if there is evidence of "overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organisation." Incoming students and travelers to the U.S. will face social media checks, with authorities looking for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States." State Department officials have also been directed to identify individuals "who advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to national security; or who perpetrate unlawful anti-Semitic harassment or violence." (OAN)
🏈 Hawaii Kicker Who Learned on YouTube Hits Game-Winner Against Stanford
Hawaii kicker Kansei Matsuzawa made three field goals in Hawaii's 23-20 win over Stanford, including the game-winning 38-yard field goal as time expired. Five years ago, then 21, Matsuzawa began to learn how to kick a football by watching YouTube videos following his move to the United States from Japan. Matsuzawa, who played high school soccer in Japan, became interested in football following a previous trip to the United States, leading to his international move. He also used YouTube to help learn how to speak English and how to cut his own hair when he couldn't afford a haircut during his time at Hocking College in Ohio. (Fox Sports)
🎓 Trump to Allow 600,000 Chinese Students Entry to US for College
President Trump announced Monday that he plans to open the floodgates to another 600,000 Chinese college students, though it's unclear when. There are currently around 270,000 Chinese students enrolled in US universities, and Trump's stated quota would be the largest number of Chinese students admitted to the US in history. The announcement comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously revealed a plan to crack down on visas for Chinese nationals, specifically young college students. Trump's change of heart comes as China and the US have volleyed tariffs back and forth since his inauguration in late January. (NY Post)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP
Southeast Missouri State University International Scholarships
Southeast Missouri State offers multiple scholarship opportunities for international students, ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 annually. The top award is the International Academic Excellence Award ($8,000 for freshmen with high GPAs and English proficiency scores), while the International Achievement Award covers the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition (approximately $7,470). Most scholarships are automatically awarded at admission with no separate application required, and many are renewable for multiple years with maintained GPA requirements. Transfer students and graduate students also have dedicated scholarship options, plus access to over 1,800 endowed scholarships totaling nearly $2.5 million annually. We help international students apply to universities and colleges around the US - reply to this email to learn more!
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
🚨 Visa Fraud: Indian National Sentenced for Staging Armed Robberies
Indian national Rambhai Patel has been sentenced to 20 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $850,000 for orchestrating a complex visa fraud scheme involving staged armed robberies across 18 stores nationwide. Patel and co-conspirator Balwinder Singh set up fake armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast-food restaurants so store clerks could falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes on U-visa applications. The "victims" paid Patel up to $20,000 each to participate in the scheme, while Patel paid store owners for the use of their locations. At least two co-conspirators successfully submitted U-visa applications based on these staged robberies, with Patel earning approximately $850,000 from the operation before being caught. (USCIS)
News in 1 Sentence
Boundless reports that international students in U.S. STEM jobs surged 54% in 2024, with a record 194,554 students obtaining work authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT), filling critical workforce gaps in AI, engineering, and other high-demand fields.
NPR covers how international students are arriving on U.S. campuses after a "very rocky summer" of visa delays, with the University at Buffalo expecting a decline of about 750 international students this fall due to processing issues.
BYU-Hawaii showcases how its IWORK program empowers international students by combining part-time campus work with tuition assistance, making U.S. education accessible to students from across the Pacific and Asia.
Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that Homeland Security is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed by University of Iowa students who feared deportation after their visa status was altered, arguing the case is now moot after reversing its decision.
Indiana House Democrats sent a letter demanding proper protections for international students after the wrongful arrest and five-day detention of Purdue Pharmacy student Yeonsoo Go, who was legally in the country on a religious dependent visa.
MPR News highlights how Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato is bucking national trends with a 50% increase in international student enrollment, making up 20% of their total student population despite nationwide declines.
Fox San Diego features how tourist towns around Yellowstone rely on international students through the Summer Work Travel program to survive their record-breaking summer visitor surge.
GW Hatchet publishes a perspective piece exploring the quiet challenges international students face, from constant paperwork stress to navigating stereotypes while being stretched between two worlds.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
There is a ton of misinformation about what international students, immigrants, and undocumented immigrants qualify for when it comes to federal benefits and programs.
Now, with the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill, more changes have happened this year.
I greatly enjoyed and appreciated this chart put together by USA Facts, which clearly explains who is eligible for what. They even include little notes for any other rules/exceptions.
View the chart below and be sure to do your own deep dive by reading more on their website. For most international students, the "non-tourist visa" column will most likely apply to you.
SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE!
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.