October 30, 2025: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- Oct 29, 2025
- 6 min read
Iceland just recorded the presence of mosquitoes for the first time in its history.
That's right—now there is only one mosquito-free country left on Earth...Antarctica. Scientists say mosquitoes are now buzzing around Iceland due to climate change.
Here's what's buzzing about international students this week:
📰 Top Headlines: Government investigations into OPT fraud intensify, USCIS eliminates checks and money orders for filing fees, and student newsrooms fight back against Trump's visa revocations
💰 Featured Scholarship: MPOWER's October scholarship series—three $1,000 awards with a deadline this Friday, October 31
🌟 Interesting Find: University of Delaware students demand "sanctuary campus" protections as international enrollment drops nearly 19%
⚡ Deep Dive: Immigration Corner: Don't Fall for It—How scammers are exploiting international students' visa fears (plus 3 simple tips to protect yourself)
Buzz buzz,
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
Best Links for International Students
📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
⚖️ Government Investigating Fraud in OPT Work Program for International Students
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown is now targeting Optional Practical Training (OPT), a popular work program for international graduates. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted site visits to employers in northern Virginia and Minnesota, uncovering "initial" evidence of fraud—including fake work sites, employers operating out of suburban homes, and supervisors unfamiliar with hiring laws for foreign students. Some OPT participants were even visited at their homes, not their workplaces. During Trump's first term, over 700 student visas were canceled in a similar investigation, and USCIS Director Joseph Edlow has previously stated he wants to eliminate OPT entirely. Immigration lawyers are advising students to carefully review their I-193 training plans and ensure they're doing exactly what's listed—at the right location and for the stated salary. (ICE | Chronicle of Higher Education)
💳 US Bank Account Now Mandatory to Pay USCIS Fees for H-1B Workers and Students
Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will no longer accept checks or money orders for immigration filing fees—meaning H-1B workers, F-1 students, and other visa applicants must now pay using either a US bank account (via direct debit with Form G-1650) or a credit card (including prepaid cards with Form G-1450). The change is part of a government push to modernize payments, reduce fraud, and speed up processing times. Currently, over 90% of USCIS payments come from checks and money orders, which cause delays and increase risk of lost payments. Prepaid credit cards are still an option—but this new rule adds another financial hurdle for international students and workers navigating the already complex immigration system. (Business Standard | USCIS)
📰 Student Newsrooms Join Lawsuit Against Trump's Visa Revocations
Fifty-five student media outlets and newsroom leaders have filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit against the Trump administration's arrest and deportation of international students for pro-Palestinian speech. The brief argues that these actions—which included high-profile arrests of students like Mahmoud Khalil, Mohsen Mahdawi, and Rümeysa Öztürk—are creating a "chilling effect" on student journalism across US campuses. International student journalists are now declining to comment on Gaza-related topics, requesting removal of previous articles, and even quitting newsrooms out of fear of deportation. A federal court recently ruled Trump's deportations for pro-Palestinian advocacy illegal, but the government argues it has "wide discretion" over visa holders to protect U.S. foreign policy. The hearing is set for November 19, 2025. (The PIE News)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP
MPOWER Monthly Scholarship: Impact Through Innovation
MPOWER Financing is awarding three $1,000 scholarships this month to international students enrolled at MPOWER-eligible schools. The October theme is "Impact Through Innovation," celebrating students who are using innovation to create positive change. The deadline is Friday, October 31, 2025 (tomorrow!), making it urgent and timely for your readers. Students must submit an essay demonstrating clarity of thought, compelling goals, and how their field of study connects to their aspirations as future leaders and change-makers. Winners will be notified within 8 weeks, and funds will be paid directly to the student's university. (MPower Financing)
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
🏫 University of Delaware Students Demand "Sanctuary Campus" Protections
Students at the University of Delaware are pushing back against federal immigration enforcement by demanding that their campus become a "sanctuary" for international students. UD's Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter gathered over 400 signatures calling on the university to refuse cooperation with ICE, protect student information, and prevent deportations on campus grounds. The protest comes after DHS revoked (and later restored) visas for eight UD international students in April, and students say university leadership has done nothing since. UD is heavily reliant on international students—42% of its master's and doctoral students are from abroad, making it the 32nd most dependent university nationwide. With international student arrivals down nearly 19% this August compared to last year, and Trump's proposed four-year cap on student visas looming, students are demanding action now. Universities like Portland State, Morehouse, and Wesleyan have already declared themselves "sanctuary campuses." (Spotlight Delaware)
News in 1 Sentence
Indian woman on H-1B visa laid off by Meta after just nine months receives multiple job offers online from AI startup founders and CEOs.
US F-1 visa denied after one-question interview for Austrian applicant reignites debate over unpredictability of Section 214B refusals.
Hospitals seek exemption from Trump's new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, warning rural and underserved communities will be hit hardest by the inability to recruit international medical workers.
International students alarmed after Latin American and Caribbean scholarships revoked at USF weeks into fall semester following Florida Board of Governors' repeal proposal.
University of Tennessee adds more international students for fall 2025, celebrating record enrollment growth despite Trump administration's immigration policies and new visa restrictions.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
How Scammers Are Exploiting International Students' Visa Fears
In 2025, the US government revoked thousands of student visas, often without warning or explanation. For scammers, this created the perfect opportunity. Posing as government officials, police, or university staff, they're weaponizing international students' biggest fear: losing their visa status.
The numbers make me sick to my stomach.
Recent research shows that nearly 1 in 5 international students have lost money or personal data to scams, and 1 in 4 have had an account compromised.
Two-thirds admitted to opening a scam email or answering a suspicious call before realizing it was fraud. You're not alone if this has happened to you—these attacks are sophisticated and deliberately target your vulnerabilities.
How the Scams Work
Scammers reach students through email, text, and phone calls. More than 40% of scams involve fake job offers or financial requests. Others pose as immigration officials threatening visa revocation, or claim you owe unpaid tolls, delivery fees, or taxes.
What makes these scams so convincing?
Attackers use real university email addresses, copy official logos, and time their messages perfectly—right after you've missed a toll payment or while you're waiting for a package. They create urgency with threats and deadlines, or dangle rewards like gift cards and job opportunities.
Why You're a Target
International students face unique vulnerabilities. You may be unfamiliar with how US government agencies actually communicate. You're required to maintain financial stability for your visa, so even a small loss feels catastrophic.
Fear keeps many students silent. You might worry that reporting a scam could draw attention to your visa status, or you don't want to appear careless. Some avoid contacting police entirely, afraid it could complicate their immigration situation.
3 Simple Tips to Protect Yourself
1. Verify Before You Trust
Government agencies will
NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER
demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten arrest. Hang up and call the official number from the agency's website. Check with your international student office before responding to any visa-related communication.
2. Pause When You Feel Pressure
Scammers create urgency to prevent clear thinking. If someone demands gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, it's a scam—no exceptions. Legitimate organizations give you time to respond and offer multiple ways to verify. Trust your gut: if something feels off, it probably is.
3. Report and Warn Others
Report suspicious messages to your university's IT help desk immediately. File reports with the FTC and FBI (links below). Warn your friends and classmates—informal networks are powerful protection. Reporting helps authorities track patterns and protect other students, even if you didn't lose money.
You're Not Alone
Falling for a scam doesn't mean you're careless. These are sophisticated attacks designed to exploit your fears during an already stressful time. The international student community is strongest when we look out for each other. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and don't let fear silence you.
Resources:
FTC Fraud Reporting: reportfraud.ftc.gov
FYI: currently closed due to the federal government shutdown
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
Full Research Study: arxiv.org/pdf/2510.18715
Your university's international student office (contact them to verify any visa-related communication)
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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