March 26, 2026: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- 37 minutes ago
- 8 min read
I started this newsletter as a way to bring together all the important and timely headlines for international students in one spot...told in a simple way...and with some humor (maybe a dash of sarcasm here and there).
And often, that means getting into immigration-related headlines...which can get into some complicated language.
I am not an immigration attorney...nor do I claim to play one on TV.
So where am I getting the latest immigration-related news in a way that makes sense?
It’s a mix of vetted resources, but I now have a new go-to resource...and it's the International Student Resource Center. I have a special section in the newsletter where you can learn more about them, but first…as always…
Here's what else I'm covering this week:
📰 Top Headlines: A bipartisan bill to protect OPT, a major lawsuit over student visa revocations moves forward, and new data shows student visa declines were even worse than expected—with no rebound in sight.
🔍 Interesting Find: Argentina is making travel easier for some U.S. visa and green card holders.
🎓 Featured Scholarship Resource: One of the few U.S. colleges that fully funds international students—and the real stories from students who made it work.
⚡ Immigration Corner Deep Dive: After last week’s wave of state-level restrictions, this week looks at the pushback: a bipartisan effort to protect OPT, states funding immigration support, and campuses stepping up to protect international students.
You ready? Let's do this!
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
🏛️ U.S. lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill to protect OPT
A new bipartisan bill in Congress is aiming to protect one of the most important work pathways for international students: OPT. Known as the Keep Innovators in America Act, the legislation would formally codify OPT into U.S. immigration law—something that, surprisingly, has never been done despite the program existing for decades. Lawmakers from both parties say the goal is simple: provide long-term stability for students, universities, and employers while keeping U.S.-educated talent in the country. The move comes amid growing concern that OPT could be restricted or eliminated through future policy changes, which would significantly impact international enrollment and workforce pipelines. At the same time, broader immigration discussions—like the proposed Dignity Act of 2025—signal that Congress is increasingly aware of the role international students play in the U.S. economy and talent ecosystem. For now, this bill is an early but notable step toward turning that recognition into concrete protection.
⚖️ Lawsuit over student visa revocations moves forward in U.S. courts
A federal lawsuit challenging the revocation of international student visas under the Trump administration is officially moving forward after a judge denied a motion to dismiss the case. The lawsuit centers on claims that the government unlawfully terminated students’ legal status—often without clear notice or due process—causing abrupt disruptions to their studies and lives in the U.S. Advocacy groups and legal organizations argue that these actions set a dangerous precedent for how immigration enforcement can impact students. The recent court decision does not resolve the case but allows it to proceed, keeping the spotlight on how student visa policies were enforced during that period. For international students and universities, the outcome could have lasting implications for due process protections and how future visa decisions are handled. In short: this is far from over, but it is a meaningful step toward accountability.
📉 No September rebound for U.S. student visas
Hopes for a late-season recovery in student visa issuances didn’t materialize. Even as colleges allowed delayed arrivals to offset summer disruptions, September visa numbers fell 18% year-over-year—making little impact on an already steep decline. That shortfall builds on a brutal summer, when F-1 visa issuances dropped 36% between May and August, leaving roughly 97,000 fewer visas issued compared to 2024. Key sending countries like India saw some of the sharpest declines, with little to no rebound in the fall. While a temporary freeze on visa interviews contributed to the backlog, ongoing policy uncertainty and stricter vetting processes may also be dampening student demand. The result: new international student enrollment is now down by more than a third this academic year, marking one of the sharpest declines outside of the pandemic.
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP: BEREA COLLEGE
Berea College is one of the rare institutions that fully funds students, including international students. That means no massive tuition bills—and no need for the kind of financial backing many U.S. colleges require. Berea is also known for its strong work-study model, where all students gain paid work experience as part of their education. Beyond the numbers, the college highlights real student stories, including international graduates from countries like Kosovo and El Salvador, sharing how the opportunity shaped their paths. (Berea College)
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
🌎 Argentina allows visa-free entry for some U.S. green card and visa holders
Argentina has introduced a policy allowing certain travelers with valid U.S. visas or green cards to enter without applying for a separate Argentine visa. The move is designed to boost tourism and simplify travel—and it reflects a broader trend of countries relying on U.S. immigration screening as a proxy for their own vetting process. Under the new rules, nationals of China can enter for tourism or business stays of up to 30 days, while nationals of India and the Dominican Republic can visit for tourism for up to 90 days. Eligible U.S. visa categories include B1/B2, B2, J, B1, O, P (P1–P3), E, and H-1B. For international students and professionals already navigating the U.S. visa system, this is a small but meaningful travel advantage. (Newsweek)
Presented by: The International Student Resource Center
🔖 When You Need Immediate, Reliable Immigration Information..like NOW
If you've been following along, you know that navigating U.S. immigration as an international student has never been more complex — and finding trustworthy, up-to-date information has never been more important.
The International Student Resource Center offers exactly that: free, expert-reviewed FAQs across 20+ topic areas, a Help Desk staffed by immigration attorneys with responses within one business day, in-depth policy reports, and a curated attorney referral list — all at no cost to students or advisors.
I had the chance to learn more about the team behind it, and I'm genuinely impressed by the expertise and care they bring to this work.
News in 1 Sentence
The U.S. is no longer a top-three destination for Chinese students, with a new survey showing it fell to fourth behind the U.K., Hong Kong, and Australia as visa uncertainty and high costs reshape study-abroad choices.
Galveston businesses struggle to fill summer jobs without J-1 visa students, highlighting how international exchange visitors remain essential to seasonal economies across the U.S.
Trump-era legal immigration policies continue to reshape visa pathways, with lasting effects on who can enter, stay, and work in the U.S.
UConn student urges strengthening protections for international graduate students amid growing concerns about funding stability, labor rights, and institutional support.
Airport wait times hit record highs despite ICE agents being deployed to assist, leaving travelers facing unprecedented delays and raising questions about system capacity.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
The Push to Help Protect International Students
Last week, I tracked the wave of state-level legislation restricting international students — from Florida to Indiana to Iowa to Texas. If you missed it, you can read it here.
This week, I'm here to tell you: it's not all doom and gloom.
People are fighting for international students — in Congress, in state legislatures, and on campuses across the country. And the headline I've been most excited to share this week is a brand new bipartisan bill introduced in the House that could permanently protect OPT.
But there have been other things in the works. Here's a quick summary of what I was able to find.
The Biggest Story: The Keep Innovators in America Act
On March 19, 2026, Representatives Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the Keep Innovators in America Act — a bipartisan bill that would do something critically important: codify OPT into law.
Right now, OPT exists only by federal regulation — which means it can be eliminated by executive action alone, without any vote in Congress. That's exactly what has made the ongoing DHS re-evaluation of OPT so alarming. This bill would change that. If passed, OPT could no longer be wiped out with the stroke of a pen.
The bill would also allow international students with pending green card applications to maintain their F-1 student status while they wait — addressing one of the most stressful and frustrating limbo situations international students face.
More than 50 organizations have already signed on in support, including NAFSA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and major technology and education groups. That level of coalition support is significant — and worth watching closely as the bill moves forward.
A Bright Spot for Medical Students: The Doctors in Our Borders Act
For international students pursuing medicine in the United States, there's another positive development worth knowing about.
The Doctors in Our Borders Act was reintroduced in February 2025, expanding the Conrad 30 program — a pathway that allows foreign medical graduates on J-1 visas to stay in the United States and practice medicine in underserved communities in exchange for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement.
It's a smaller bill, but an important one — particularly as rural and underserved communities across the U.S. face severe physician shortages that international medical graduates help address.
States Stepping Up
While several states have been making headlines for restricting international students, others have been moving in the opposite direction.
Massachusetts allocated $5 million in its 2025 budget for immigration legal services — providing funding for low-income individuals who need immigration help but can't afford an attorney.
Washington State made a similar commitment, appropriating funds for legal representation and referral services for those navigating the immigration system.
On the data privacy front, Washington, Colorado, and New Mexico have passed or are advancing laws that prevent residents' immigration status from being shared with federal authorities without a court order — a meaningful protection for international students who may worry about their information being accessed or shared without their knowledge.
The Sanctuary Campus Movement
Students across the country have been pushing — loudly and persistently — for their universities to formally declare themselves sanctuary campuses.
At least eight colleges and universities have done exactly that. Portland State University and Reed College were among the first.
At a sanctuary campus, ICE is required to present a judicial warrant before accessing campus, student records are protected from disclosure, and students receive real-time alerts about any ICE activity in the area.
Dozens more campuses are actively organizing, including students at the University of Cincinnati, University of Wisconsin-Madison, DePaul University, and Howard University — all pushing their administrations to put real protections in place, not just marketing language.
Your Turn
The news cycle has been heavy. But the countermovement is real — and it's growing!
If you know of other ways international students are being supported — whether at the federal level, in your state, or on your own campus — I want to hear about it.
Reply to this email and share what you've found. I'll keep tracking this and reporting back.
Sources:
Keep Innovators in America Act — Representative Liccardo's Office
Washington State Immigration Legal Services — Washington State Legislature
State Immigration Protections — Immigrant Legal Resource Center
NAFSA Support for Keep Innovators in America Act — NAFSA.org
Last Week's State Restrictions Deep Dive — International Student Voice
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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.