July 10, 2025: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 24
Carrie here at International Student Voice...and I just have to say...
FINALLY! After 20+ years of hoping your feet don't stink as you remove your shoes at a TSA checkpoint....the U.S. has officially ended the mandatory shoe removal policy.
That's right—no more awkward sock-footed shuffle of shame through security.
Now that officials have deemed shoe bombs "very unlikely," we can all keep our dignity AND footwear intact while traveling to and around the U.S.
Other big news happened this week for international students, including:
🚨 Latest news headlines - visa restrictions, delays, and campus legal battles
🌟 Spotlight - the Harvard grad who went viral for defending international students
💰 Scholarship alert - $2,000 STEM opportunity closing July 11th
🛂 Immigration update - TPS changes affecting 60,000+ from 3 countries
🥊 Harvard vs. Trump - escalates with formal subpoenas (*grabs popcorn*)
Let's dive in.
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
HEADLINES THIS WEEK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 📰
🇳🇬 Nigeria Hit with New U.S. Visa Restrictions
Nigerian citizens now face a three-month limit on U.S. visas, significantly impacting students planning long-term study programs. The new restrictions add another layer of complexity for one of the largest international student populations in the U.S. (Reuters)
⏰ Student Visa Scheduling Still Plagued by Delays
Despite promises of improvement, international students continue facing severe delays in visa appointment scheduling, with some waiting months for interview slots. The bottleneck is affecting fall 2025 enrollment across U.S. universities. (The PIE News)
💼 Microsoft Layoffs Impact H-1B ApplicationsTech giant Microsoft's recent layoffs are creating ripple effects in the H-1B visa application process, affecting international students planning post-graduation employment. The cuts highlight ongoing uncertainty in the tech sector for international workers. (Newsweek)
⚖️ Rare Trial Challenges Campus Deportations A federal trial is underway challenging Trump administration deportations of pro-Palestinian campus activists, marking a significant legal test for international student rights and free speech protections. (Reuters)
🏥 Medical Residents Face Visa CrisisForeign medical residents filling critical positions at U.S. hospitals are increasingly facing visa issues, potentially creating healthcare staffing shortages. The situation affects both current residents and future medical graduates. (PBS NewsHour)
ICYMI
Trump Administration v. Harvard:
The Latest Round 🥊
This week, the Trump administration significantly escalated its confrontation with Harvard University, issuing formal subpoenas demanding detailed records on all foreign students and threatening the university's accreditation.
The Department of Homeland Security is now seeking to terminate Harvard's ability to enroll international students entirely. (Politico)
If you're like...."Wait, how did we even get here?"
We broke it down in last week's newsletter.
👇
SPOTLIGHT: The International Student Who Broke the Internet (And What She Wants You to Know) 🌟
Yurong Luanna Jiang, the Chinese international student whose Harvard commencement speech about shared humanity and building bridges went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Within hours of her graduation address, she was trending on TikTok with millions of views and facing demands for deportation from over 20,000 users on X.
Her crime? Talking about hope, moderation, and not demonizing people you disagree with.
In her powerful new commentary, Jiang reveals what it's really like to be caught in the crossfire of U.S.-China tensions as an international student.
She was simultaneously accused of being a Chinese agent trying to undermine America AND an American mouthpiece trying to corrupt China. (No surprise...both accusations are completely false.)
But here's what makes her story essential reading: Jiang doesn't just defend herself—she makes the economic case for why international students like her make America stronger.
Why I'm spotlighting her: In a week filled with visa restrictions, deportation threats, and university battles, Jiang's voice cuts through the noise with facts, personal experience, and a reminder that behind every policy debate are real students with real dreams.
Read Her Commentary in U.S. News & World Report:
FUNDING YOUR FUTURE: Featured Scholarship Opportunity 💰
🎓 GeneTex Scholarship Open to STEM majors at accredited universities worldwide, including international students.
Must be in good academic standing and submit transcripts with your application.
Amount: $2,000 Deadline: July 11, 2025
IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
🏛️ Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 60,000+ People from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal Ends
The Trump administration has terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 60,000 people from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal, giving them a grace period of 60 days before their TPS status is removed.
A lawsuit has been filed challenging these terminations, alleging they violate constitutional protections. (NBC News)
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)? TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to nationals of countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances that make it unsafe to return home. It allows people already in the U.S. to remain legally and work.
What TPS Means for Some International Students If you're an international student from a TPS-designated country, you can apply for TPS to gain work authorization. This means even if you're on a non-immigrant visa like an F-1 visa, you can work on or off campus. Even if your student visa expires, if you have TPS, you're protected.
In other words: TPS protects you from deportation and allows you to work legally in the U.S. while conditions in your home country remain unsafe.
Check Your Eligibility: Visit USCIS.gov to see current TPS-designated countries and eligibility requirements. Countries currently include Venezuela, Haiti, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and others.
⚠️ Important ⚠️
If you think you might qualify for TPS, or if your current TPS status is ending, schedule an appointment with your campus immigration advisor immediately. They can help you understand your options and deadlines.
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