November 13, 2025: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- Nov 12, 2025
- 7 min read
Netflix just opened a 100,000-square-foot Netflix House in Philadelphia, complete with Stranger Things mazes, Bridgerton dining, and a Wednesday VR experience.
So if you're looking for something fun to do over Thanksgiving break coming up at the end of the month, perhaps a trip to Philly is an idea?
While you decide...here is your "Recommended for You" section...international student news style:
📰 Top Headlines: Trump's contradictory messaging continues, Columbia University faces congressional pressure over China ties, and international student enrollment holds steady than predicted despite travel fears
💰 Featured Scholarship: A special scholarship for Women in STEM —awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, deadline is January 2026
🌟 Interesting Find: Air travel chaos has Americans rediscovering buses and trains and ditching cars and planes (more reason to visit Philly...am I right?)
⚡ Deep Dive: Immigration Corner: The Grass Isn't Always Greener—how Canada's dramatic policy reversals are reshaping North America's international student landscape
Dum DUuuUUummm....
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
🎓 Trump's Mixed Messages on International Students: "I Don't Want Them, But They're Good Business"
President Donald Trump has sent conflicting signals about international students and skilled foreign workers, defending their presence while simultaneously expressing reluctance about their enrollment in US universities. In a Fox News interview, Trump stated he doesn't want foreign students in the country, yet acknowledged they're "good business" for American higher education—admitting that cutting international enrollment by half would "financially destroy" the university system. The president also defended the H-1B visa program, arguing the US doesn't have workers with "certain talents" to fill specialized jobs domestically, pointing to a September ICE raid at a Georgia Hyundai facility where hundreds of South Korean battery experts were arrested. When pressed about Chinese students potentially spying and stealing intellectual property, Trump took an unexpected swipe at France, questioning whether French students would be any better. The contradictory stance has left international students and universities uncertain about future policy direction, especially as Trump previously threatened to "aggressively revoke" Chinese student visas before reversing course. With China and India being the top sources of international students—who contribute billions to the economy—the administration's wavering position creates anxiety for the nearly 1 million international students currently studying in America. (CNN, CNN, Business Standard...yes, I meant to include 2 different CNN articles 😉)
🎓 International Student Enrollment Holds Steady Despite Policy Uncertainty
Despite dire predictions and Trump administration restrictions, international student enrollment in the United States has proven remarkably resilient—dropping less than 1% this fall according to Department of Homeland Security data. The modest decline stands in stark contrast to earlier forecasts, which predicted a 40% plunge in new foreign students that would cost college towns $7 billion and more than 60,000 jobs. While some universities reported notable decreases—St. Louis University saw a 46% drop and the University of Maryland at Baltimore County experienced a 27% decline, both concentrated among graduate students—others like Mount Holyoke College, MIT, and Rice University maintained steady international enrollment, with some schools like the University of Utah and West Virginia University even reporting increases. However, experts caution that the apparent stability may be misleading: many current international students simply avoided traveling home this summer out of fear they couldn't reenter the country, potentially masking a decline in new arrivals. An August 2025 report showed student visa entries were down 19.1% compared to the previous year, with African countries seeing a 32.5% drop. The real threat may lie ahead, as the Trump administration floats eliminating Optional Practical Training—which allows recent graduates to work in the US for up to three years—and proposes a four-year limit on student visas. With nearly 1 million international students currently studying in America and contributing billions to the economy, universities and advocates are watching nervously to see if this year's relative stability marks the calm before the storm. (News India Times, The Economist, Arizona Daily Sun)
🇨🇳 Congress Tells Columbia: Cut Ties with CCP-Linked Group
Columbia University is under pressure from Capitol Hill to sever connections with a Chinese organization accused of being a tool of the Chinese Communist Party's influence operations. Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on China sent a letter this week to Columbia Acting President Claire Shipman demanding the university end its relationship with the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), which is funding a student trip to China in January 2026. Columbia is the latest in a series of universities facing congressional scrutiny over their China connections—a trend that shows no signs of slowing as lawmakers increasingly view academic partnerships through a national security lens. (Congressional Letter to Columbia University)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP
MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship Now Open
MPOWER Financing is accepting applications for its Women in STEM Scholarship, offering awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for female international and DACA students pursuing STEM degrees. To be eligible, you must identify as a woman, be accepted or enrolled at a full-time or part-time STEM program at an MPOWER-supported school in the US or Canada, and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship is open to students at any degree level—undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs. Winners are selected based on their commitment to their field, academic achievement, and financial need as demonstrated through their application. The application deadline is January 31, 2026. (MPOWER Financing)
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
🚍 Trains and Buses Make a Comeback in the US as Flight Chaos Pushes Travelers to the Ground
When a recent government shutdown grounded thousands of flights across the US, many travelers turned to buses and trains. Major intercity bus and train companies reported a surge in bookings as air travel descended into chaos, with passengers facing delays, cancellations, and long security lines due to understaffing at airports and air traffic control centers. While the shutdown has since ended, Americans are still using buses and trains according to the latest data. Unlike many countries with extensive rail networks, the US relies heavily on cars and planes, so public transit like trains is often overlooked or unavailable in many areas. However, companies like Greyhound, Megabus, and Amtrak connect hundreds of cities across the country, offering routes that can be cheaper and sometimes faster than flying for shorter distances. (Reuters)
News in 1 Sentence
How to thrive, not survive, as an international student: A University of Miami student shares practical advice for international students adjusting to life in the US.
Ukraine's international education sector not beaten by war: Despite nearly four years of constant bombardment, Ukraine still hosts around 20,000 international students.
Visa changes reshape University of Florida international students' feelings about holiday travel, prompting them to weigh whether to travel home amid stricter Trump administration visa policies.
Congressional report uses Purdue University as an example to push for stricter visa screening and research restrictions on Chinese students, while simultaneously praising the school's "forward-leaning approach" to research security and compliance measures.
Feds charge three more University of Michigan scholars from China in allegedly smuggling biological material into the US and lying to federal agents, bringing the total to seven Chinese nationals with ties to UM charged in recent months amid broader national security concerns.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
Canada's Shifting Landscape for International Students
Obviously, this newsletter covers headlines about international students in the US. But with all the coverage, it can be tempting for students to think...would it be better elsewhere? Maybe...Canada?
Our neighbor to the north has always been known for its welcoming immigration policies, actively recruiting international students as a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. For the past decade and a half, Canada has positioned itself as the friendly alternative to the US—easier visas, post-graduation work permits, and a clear route to permanent residency.
But that reputation is now facing its biggest test, as Canada makes dramatic policy reversals that are reshaping its international student landscape.
Canada's Dramatic Reversal
Canada's 2026-28 immigration plan will slash new international student permits from 305,900 to 150,000—a cut of more than 50%. But new data reveals the situation is even more severe: projections show only 80,000 new study permits will be approved in 2025, representing a staggering 62% decline from previous levels and falling below even COVID-era numbers.
The impact is already visible. For example, Concordia University in Montreal is laying off workers due to the financial hit from declining international enrollment. Indian students face a 74% visa rejection rate as of August, part of a sweeping immigration crackdown.
And it's not just about getting in—a Turkish graduate student is suing the University of Calgary for $500,000 after administrative delays jeopardized his post-graduation work permit eligibility and immigration status, showing how precarious life can be even after arrival.
A Narrow Path Forward
There is one bright spot: starting January 2026, master's and doctoral students at public universities will be exempt from the permit caps, with PhD applicants receiving expedited 2-week processing.
This signals that Canada still wants advanced researchers and graduate talent. But for undergraduate and college students—historically a major pathway to Canadian immigration—it seems the doors are closing fast.
The Bottom Line: Stay Informed
For years, Canada marketed itself as the welcoming alternative to the US. Now, both countries are tightening restrictions, just in different ways.
The US offers contradictory rhetoric with unpredictable policy shifts. Canada offers a clear policy—clearly restrictive.
I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the border. Whether you're considering the US, Canada, or elsewhere, the lesson is the same: stay informed, understand the risks, and have backup plans.
Immigration policies can change overnight, visa rejections can spike without warning, and even administrative errors can derail your future. The international student journey has never been easy, but in 2025, it requires more vigilance than ever.
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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.
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