July 31, 2025: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Good morning! Today is supposed to be the start of a "dramatic cool down" here in the Northeast region of the U.S.
While we enjoy a break from the heat (hello 70s°F / 20s°C), here's what's warming up in international student news:
Top Headlines - Joe Rogan's take on student deportations, a tragic loss in Sacramento, and lawmakers pushing back on visa delays
Featured Resource - Practical tips helping international students build their credit scores
Immigration Corner - Let's take a moment to digest 2025 so far...and why international students should still be optimistic
Let's dive in!
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
HEADLINES THIS WEEK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 📰
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
🎙️ Joe Rogan Criticizes Trump's Crackdown on International Students
Popular podcaster Joe Rogan called the Trump administration's targeting of foreign students "f***ing crazy" during a recent episode. His criticism comes as several international students, including a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, have been detained by ICE for allegedly writing articles critical of Israel's actions in Gaza. Rogan questioned why students are being deported for expressing opinions, arguing that universities should be places for free expression and debate. (Newsweek)
💔 Sacramento Community Mourns International Student Killed in Light Rail Accident Rittick Gupta, a 21-year-old international student who attended the University of California Sacramento, was tragically killed after being hit by a light rail train while riding a scooter in Midtown Sacramento. Friends remember Gupta as a hardworking and joyful person who was financially supporting his family back in India. The community is now raising funds to bring his remains home to his family, with local businesses organizing fundraisers and vigils in his honor. (KCRA)
📝 Bipartisan Lawmakers Urge Secretary Rubio to Fix Indian Student Visa Crisis
A group of 15 bipartisan lawmakers has written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding immediate action on the ongoing Indian student visa crisis. With visa appointment backlogs continuing to plague U.S. embassies and the fall semester approaching, thousands of Indian students risk missing the start of their academic year. Indian students contribute $9 billion annually to the U.S. economy, and lawmakers warn that continued delays could force students to choose other destinations like the UK instead. (The PIE News)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP
Arizona State University New American University Scholarship
This merit-based scholarship is awarded automatically to international first-year and transfer F-1 students who demonstrate high academic achievement. No separate application required - students are considered based on their GPA, class rank, and ACT/SAT scores submitted with their admission application. ISV can help guide you through the ASU application process to maximize your scholarship potential (reply to this email to learn more). (Arizona State University)
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
⚖️ International Student-Athletes Face Complex NIL Challenges Under New Rules
The House v. NCAA settlement allows colleges to pay student-athletes for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) starting July 1, 2025, but international student-athletes on F-1 visas face unique hurdles. Since F-1 visa holders are generally prohibited from working off-campus, NIL promotional activities could be considered unauthorized employment under immigration law, potentially jeopardizing their visa status. Creative solutions are emerging, but promotional work in the U.S. remains legally risky for international students. (Hunton Andrews Kurth)
Spotlight Resource
Build credit from day 1 - a credit card designed specifically for international students
It's no secret - most international students arrive in the U.S. with zero credit history. I mean, yeah. You haven't lived here.
So naturally, research (common sense) tells us that building credit from scratch is one of the biggest financial challenges international students face. You need to build credit...but no one will approve you for a credit card with no credit history (🤔).
It's not impossible. That's why I put together a simple guide that explains how students can start building credit from day one, and why International Student Voice proudly recommends Adro - they are one of the few financial services that understand the unique needs of international students.
News in 1 Sentence
Visa delays prompt a national coalition of 50+ organizations to demand that the State Department prioritize student visa processing after a three-week suspension during peak season threatens the U.S. position as the top destination for international talent.
Columbia agrees to limit international enrollment amid federal pressure and ongoing sanctuary city legal challenges.
Cornell students and athletics face visa policy uncertainty as the university quietly revises international student enrollment numbers, dropping the Chinese student count by 161.
Students impacted by Trump's travel ban fear losing connection to their heritage as restrictions prevent visits home and family reunification.
IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
Understanding the Current Moment in the U.S. as an International Student...and Why to Be Optimistic
What's Happened Since January 2025
Since President Trump returned to office, international students have faced unprecedented scrutiny that goes far beyond typical immigration enforcement.
For example we've seen:
A three-week suspension of F, J, and M visa appointments during peak processing season
New social media screening requirements for visa applications
Universities like Harvard under federal investigation over visa practices
Early Estimates are Predicting...
F-1 visa issuances to Indian students dropped 41% this May compared to last year. Overall, F-1 visas fell 22% year-over-year. We won't know for sure how the numbers will shake out for a while...but experts are saying, brace for impact.
With Indian students alone contributing $9 billion annually to the U.S. economy, even a coalition of 50+ organizations spanning business and higher education is now calling this a threat to America's competitiveness.
But Here's the Thing...
We've been at a somewhat similar moment before. You may be too young to remember post-9/11...suddenly, international students faced intense scrutiny, lengthy background checks, and a climate of suspicion. It felt permanent then too. But pendulums swing back.
And this one already is. Even Joe Rogan - not exactly known for progressive takes - called the current targeting of students "f***ing crazy" on his podcast. When you're losing Joe Rogan on immigration enforcement...you might have overcorrected.
More telling: Americans are changing their minds. A recent Brookings analysis shows that 52% now think Trump's immigration approach is "too harsh," and support for reducing immigration has fallen from 55% to just 30%. The very policies that helped win the election might be backfiring (I have thoughts on why...but that's for another time).
The Support for Students You Don't See in Headlines
While the news focuses on scrutiny, there's massive support for international students that don't make front pages.
A bipartisan group of 15 lawmakers just urged Secretary Rubio to fix visa delays. Local communities are rallying around students - like in Tucson, where International Friends has been pairing students with local families for over 70 years.
Macalester College in Minnesota raised $400,000 to support its 93 international students.
Reality Check
If you're in the U.S. now, focus on what you can control:
Maintain your status religiously - attend classes, follow work authorization rules
Keep documentation current and accessible
Stay connected with your international student office
If you're considering coming to the U.S., yes, it seems a bit complicated right now. But remember: this too shall pass.
American universities still need international talent, the economy still benefits from your contributions, and history shows these restrictive periods don't last forever.
We're living through a moment of overcorrection based on campaign promises - we've seen it from both parties before...let's weather the storm because this too shall pass.
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.