June 4, 2026: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- 6 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Folks....⚽ T-MINUS 7 DAYS until the World Cup starts!
I was reading about how economists expect alcohol sales to get a nice boost during the tournament—a welcome development considering alcohol sales have been declining in the U.S.
Experts say much of the increase will come from visitors arriving from beer-loving countries like Mexico, Germany, and England.
I certainly hope that's the case.
Because if not...the only other explanation is that the U.S. Men's National Team performs like it did last time, and we'll all be drinking our sorrows one tear-filled beer at a time..
I WILL BE *cautiously* OPTIMISTIC....
In the meantime, let's get you caught up on international student news...in this week's newsletter:
📰 Top Headlines: DHS is walking back confusion surrounding green card processing from within the United States, international student journalists are challenging visa actions tied to protected speech, and a Michigan college athlete's detention by ICE is raising new questions about immigration protections for students.
🎓 Featured Scholarship: Duke University's Karsh International Scholars Program offers one of the most comprehensive scholarship packages available to international students.
💡 Interesting Find: President Trump's recent comments on Chinese student visas and Chinese-owned farmland are creating tension with parts of his political base—and the farmland numbers may surprise you.
⚡ Immigration Corner Deep Dive: One former international student's journey offers an important reminder that your dreams are bigger than any one visa—and why every international student should have a backup plan.
Until next week,
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
🛂 DHS says most green card applicants will not need to leave the U.S. after all
After widespread confusion and backlash, the Department of Homeland Security is walking back last week's announcement that appeared to require most green card applicants to leave the United States while their applications were processed. DHS now says there has been no major policy change and that immigration officers will continue to make decisions on a case-by-case basis, using the authority they have long possessed. While that clarification may ease concerns for many immigrants, officials still have not provided clear guidance on who could be required to leave the country or how those decisions will be made. Immigration attorneys report that some applicants are already being questioned about why they are applying for green cards from within the United States rather than from abroad. For now, adjustment of status remains available for most applicants, but the uncertainty has left many students, workers, and families closely watching for further changes. (The New York Times)
📰 International student journalists challenge visa actions tied to protected speech
A federal judge in California is weighing a lawsuit brought by The Stanford Daily and two international student journalists who argue that the government should not be allowed to revoke visas or pursue deportation based solely on constitutionally protected speech. The case centers on a rarely used provision of immigration law that gives the secretary of state broad authority to remove noncitizens if their presence is deemed harmful to U.S. foreign policy interests. The students argue that the policy creates uncertainty and discourages international students from expressing opinions or reporting on controversial topics, including the war in Gaza. Government attorneys maintain that the authority is necessary to protect national security and foreign policy interests, while the judge repeatedly described the constitutional questions raised by the case as "critically important." The outcome could help determine how far the government can go in linking immigration status to speech, protest activity, and political expression by international students and scholars. (Courthouse News Service)
⚽ Venezuelan college athlete detained by ICE despite pending immigration protections
A Michigan college soccer player was detained by ICE this week, drawing attention to the growing uncertainty facing students with pending immigration cases and humanitarian protections. Karliana Perdomo, a Venezuelan-born student-athlete at Cleary University, reportedly has a pending asylum application and believed she was authorized to remain in the United States through Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Although the Trump administration ended TPS protections for many Venezuelans last year, some individuals still hold documentation that remains valid into 2026, creating confusion about who remains protected and for how long. Immigration attorneys say cases like Perdomo's highlight the complicated legal landscape facing immigrants whose asylum claims, TPS benefits, or other protections remain unresolved. While Perdomo is not an international student on a student visa, her detention has become another example of how shifting immigration policies are increasingly affecting students and college communities across the country. (Detroit Free Press)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP: Duke University Karsh International Scholars Program
Duke University's Karsh International Scholars Program is one of the most prestigious scholarship opportunities available to international students in the United States. The scholarship is awarded to exceptional international applicants who demonstrate both outstanding academic achievement and financial need, covering tuition, housing, meals, mandatory fees, and additional demonstrated need throughout all four years of undergraduate study. Karsh Scholars also receive funding for research, unpaid internships, and other enrichment opportunities that help students build their academic and professional experience beyond the classroom. There is no separate scholarship application—students are automatically considered after applying to Duke and requesting financial aid during the admissions process. (Duke University)
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
🤔 Trump's China balancing act
After President Trump's visit to China, I shared news articles on he appeared to soften up on Chinese students receiving U.S. visas. And now...the President also seems to be downplaying concerns about Chinese-owned farmland in the U.S. See...what I find interesting...is that during his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump frequently criticized both Chinese student visas and Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland. Now that he's backtracking, his MAGA base is not happy. But you know what makes the farmland debate particularly interesting? According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, Chinese investors own about 248,000 acres of U.S. farmland—roughly 0.02% of all American farmland and less than 1% of foreign-owned agricultural land. That's far less than many Americans assume and is dwarfed by ownership from countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It's another example of campaign promises catching up with reality. (TIME)
News in 1 Sentence
U.S. embassies across Africa may soon process visas at only 20 designated hubs, a reduction that could make visa appointments significantly harder to access for many African students and travelers.
An Italian graduate of Oakland City University held a yard sale to afford her flight home after the university’s sudden closure ended her plans to remain in the United States on OPT.
NAFSA attendees at the association’s annual conference expressed growing concern that federal immigration and visa policies could further weaken the United States’ appeal as a destination for international students.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has relaunched its International Student Advisory Board, giving students a stronger voice in shaping campus policies and support services for the international community.
University of Washington international students say they remain optimistic about studying in the U.S. despite ongoing immigration uncertainty and rising costs.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
When She Didn't Get the Visa...She Built a New Dream Instead
Let me tell you a quick story about Sunjana Ramana, an Indian student who came to the United States to pursue a master's degree at Columbia University.
Like many international students, she had a vision for her future. She earned her degree, landed a job in New York City, and began building the life she had worked so hard to create.
The next step seemed straightforward: continue working in the U.S. through the H-1B visa process.
But things didn't go according to plan.
Ramana entered the H-1B lottery three times and was not selected. After years of studying, working, and investing in her future in the United States, she faced a difficult reality: she needed to leave.
Eventually, she moved to the United Kingdom. What happened next is what makes this story interesting. Instead of viewing her departure as the end of her dream, she began building a new one. She joined a startup accelerator, co-founded a company, and discovered opportunities she had never seriously considered while focused on staying in the U.S.
This is the story I recently read in a Business Insider article, and it stood out to me because it highlights something many international students need to hear.
Not every dream has to happen in the United States.
Now, before anyone misinterprets that statement and sends me a nasty-gram, let me be clear: many international students want to stay in the U.S., and many do.
I started this newsletter to help you stay updated on the news related to your life here in the country.
Universities, advisors, employers, and immigration professionals spend countless hours helping students navigate pathways to remain here after graduation.
But immigration outcomes are often influenced by factors that have little to do with your talent, intelligence, work ethic, or potential.
Visa lotteries are random. Policies change. Processing times shift. Employers adjust hiring plans. New regulations can appear with little warning.
International students know this reality better than almost anyone.
That's why I've often said that international students need more than a Plan A. They need a Plan B, a Plan C, and sometimes a Plan D through Z.
That isn't pessimism. It's preparation.
One of the most valuable things you can do as an international student is build flexibility into your future plans. Research opportunities in multiple countries. Learn about different immigration pathways. Build a professional network that extends beyond one city or one country.
Focus on developing skills that remain valuable no matter where you live.
Most importantly, don't tie your entire sense of success to a single immigration outcome.
If an H-1B application isn't selected, if a visa is denied, or if a policy change forces you to reconsider your plans, that doesn't mean you failed. It means you encountered a system that is often complicated, unpredictable, and beyond any one person's control.
The lesson from Ramana's story isn't that students should give up on their U.S. goals. They should be prepared for multiple possibilities.
Many international students build incredible careers in the United States. Others find success in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Europe, or back home.
The location may change, but the opportunity to build a meaningful life and career remains.
Your dream is bigger than any one visa, any one policy, or any one country. The students who navigate uncertainty most successfully are often the ones who understand that from the beginning.
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.
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