May 28, 2026: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- 21 hours ago
- 8 min read
Are you reading this from Orlando, Florida? Perhaps there's a 99.9% chance you're at NAFSA?
For my international student readers - NAFSA is one of the largest and most important organizations that advocates for international students...and all the professionals who support students like yourself.
Every year, there is a national conference at the end of May/early June. I sadly...could not join to cover the conference this year.
But I salute those of you who could attend...and hope you head back home more energized than ever to keep advocating for international students!
Because...we need more advocates than ever...just take a look at what I'm covering this week:
📰 Top Headlines: The Trump administration signaled possible changes to green card processing for immigrants already in the U.S., new restrictions are making international research collaboration more difficult, and summer camps across America are struggling with international staffing shortages tied to visa delays.
🎓 Featured Scholarship: Williams College continues to offer one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country for international students, with aid packages averaging more than $90,000 per year.
💡 Interesting Find: A fascinating new article traces the long history of deportations and government scrutiny targeting international students during periods of political tension in the United States.
⚡ Immigration Corner Deep Dive: Get caught up on the latest news surrounding Optional Practical Training (OPT), including fraud investigations, legal debates, and growing political battles over the future of post-graduation work opportunities for international students.
Fellow NAFSA-ians, I salute you,
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
🛂 The U.S. may soon force some green card applicants to leave the country to finish the process
The Trump administration is preparing major changes to the “adjustment of status” process, which currently allows many immigrants already living in the United States to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country. Under the proposed changes, some applicants may instead be required to leave the U.S. and complete their green card processing at consulates abroad, creating major uncertainty for workers, students, and families already established here. Administration officials say the new approach will prioritize immigrants who provide a clear “economic benefit” to the United States, suggesting that highly skilled workers and certain employment-based applicants could still remain in the country while their applications are processed. The announcement comes just days after President Trump made unusually positive comments about Chinese students during a visit to China, saying international students are “good” for America and should stay in the country after graduating. But immigration experts note that similar pro-student rhetoric has surfaced before without leading to meaningful policy changes, and many analysts say the administration’s broader actions continue to point toward stricter immigration enforcement and fewer long-term pathways overall. (Business Insider) (Newsweek) (Forbes)
🔬 U.S. researchers now face new restrictions when working with foreign collaborators
A new policy shift is making it significantly harder for U.S.-based researchers to publish academic work with foreign collaborators, especially those connected to countries considered national security concerns. According to Science, federal agencies are increasing oversight of international research partnerships and in some cases now require government approval before federally funded researchers can publish papers involving foreign institutions or co-authors, including international students. While officials argue the tighter rules are necessary to prevent intellectual property theft and protect sensitive technologies, many scientists warn the restrictions could seriously damage international collaboration, slow scientific progress, and make the United States less attractive to global research talent. Researchers say the new requirements are already creating confusion inside universities, with some faculty unsure whether ordinary collaborations with overseas colleagues could now trigger compliance reviews or delays. (Science Magazine)
🏕️ U.S. summer camps are feeling the impact of visa delays and staffing shortages
Summer camps across the United States are reporting major staffing shortages this year, and many operators say stricter immigration policies and visa delays are playing a growing role. According to Yahoo News, camps that traditionally rely on international counselors through programs like the J-1 exchange visa are struggling to fill positions after months of increased visa scrutiny, processing slowdowns, and uncertainty surrounding temporary cultural exchange programs. Camp directors say fewer international staff members are arriving from countries that have historically supplied thousands of seasonal workers, forcing some camps to reduce enrollment, cancel activities, or place heavier workloads on remaining staff. (Yahoo News)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP: Williams College
Williams College offers one of the most generous financial aid programs in the United States for international students, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students who qualify for aid. Although admission for international applicants is need-aware, about 70% of international students at Williams currently receive financial assistance, with average aid packages exceeding $90,000 per year. The financial aid package goes beyond tuition and housing, also covering textbooks, lab and art supplies, music lessons, storage, and even one round-trip flight home each year. Williams guarantees financial aid for all four years, giving students more long-term financial stability once admitted. International students who may need aid at any point during college must indicate their intent to apply for financial aid during the admissions application process. (Williams College)
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
📚 Deporting international students is not new — it has happened throughout U.S. history
I came across a fascinating…yet sad…article from The Daily at the University of Washington. It explores how efforts to target or remove international students during periods of political tension are deeply rooted in American history. The piece traces examples dating back decades, including government crackdowns during the Cold War, heightened surveillance after 9/11, and earlier moments when foreign students were viewed through the lens of national security rather than education or cultural exchange. The piece even includes newspaper clippings from past cases…including the story of UW student Samiak Zahraie, who was ordered deported to Iran on December 15, 1972. His brother, Babak, had been arrested by immigration officers earlier that same year. The article argues that today’s debates around visas, deportations, and student monitoring are part of a much longer historical pattern where international students often become political symbols during periods of fear or geopolitical conflict. While the political circumstances may change over time, the article suggests the underlying tension between welcoming global talent and prioritizing security concerns has remained surprisingly consistent across generations. (The Daily UW)
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News in 1 Sentence
The University of Florida is continuing its pause on accepting out-of-state and international transfer students, extending a policy that has already created uncertainty for students hoping to transfer into one of Florida’s largest public universities.
Mahmoud Khalil plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene after a federal appeals court declined to reconsider a ruling that could move the government closer to deporting the former Columbia graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist.
Graduate workers at Washington University organized a May Day rally supporting international students and PhD programs, arguing that recent policy changes and funding pressures are creating growing instability in higher education.
Nepalese authorities arrested multiple education consultancy operators and seized electronic devices during a crackdown on alleged fraud and abuse tied to overseas student migration processes.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
Get Caught Up on the Latest News with Optional Practical Training (OPT)
If you are an international student planning to work in the United States after graduation, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is probably one of the most important immigration programs you should understand right now.
And lately…it has become one of the most debated programs in U.S. immigration policy.
Quick refresher — what exactly is OPT?
OPT allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the United States in a job related to their field of study after graduation.
Here’s the basic structure:
Most students can receive up to 12 months of OPT
STEM graduates can apply for a 24-month extension
That means some students can work in the U.S. for up to 3 years after graduating
For many students, OPT becomes the bridge between university and longer-term employment opportunities like H-1B sponsorship.
The program itself is not new. Versions of OPT have existed for decades, but it expanded significantly under both Republican and Democratic administrations as universities and employers pushed for ways to retain highly skilled international graduates educated in the U.S.
So why is OPT suddenly back in the headlines?
This month, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons called OPT “a magnet for fraud” during a national law enforcement conference.
According to ICE officials, investigators identified more than 10,000 international students connected to what they described as “highly suspect employers.”
Examples mentioned by investigators included:
empty office buildings
locked business locations
multiple companies operating from the same address
shell companies allegedly created to maintain student visa status
students potentially working at unreported job sites
Government officials argue some companies may exist primarily to help students remain in legal status rather than provide legitimate professional training.
At the same time, universities and immigration advocates warn that isolated fraud cases should not define a program used by hundreds of thousands of students and employers nationwide.
Why are some people saying OPT is not even legal?
This is where the debate becomes more complicated.
Some policymakers and immigration groups argue Congress never officially created OPT through legislation. Instead, they say the Department of Homeland Security created and expanded the program through federal regulations over time.
In simple terms:
Congress passed the laws creating student visas
Federal agencies later created OPT rules under those laws
Critics argue student visas were originally meant for education — not long-term employment authorization after graduation.
Supporters strongly disagree. Universities, tech companies, hospitals, and business groups argue OPT helps America retain talented graduates already trained at U.S. institutions.
What does it mean to “codify” OPT?
You may hear politicians saying they want to “codify” OPT.
That simply means they want Congress to officially write OPT directly into U.S. law.
Right now, because OPT mainly exists through government regulations, future administrations could potentially limit, rewrite, or eliminate parts of the program more easily.
If Congress formally passed a law establishing OPT, the program would become much harder to remove.
That’s why the debate is becoming so important:
Some policymakers want to end or sharply restrict OPT
Others are introducing bills that would permanently protect the program
For now, nothing has changed for current OPT eligibility. But it is clear that OPT is facing more political scrutiny than it has in many years — and for international students planning careers in the United States, this is a conversation worth paying close attention to.
Be sure to keep following International Student Voice for the latest updates, but if you have any immediate questions, contact your international student advisor.
Sources
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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.