September 25, 2025: This Week in International Student News
- Carrie Circosta
- Sep 25
- 6 min read
"Rapture Day" came and went...the world kept turning...and I'm still covering what's important to international students and educators...this week:
📰 Top Headlines: Trump Administration adds $100K fee to H-1B visas, J-1 visa program exposed for widespread worker exploitation, and small colleges see international enrollment plummet while elite schools stay steady
💰 Scholarship Spotlight: Florida International University offers $4,000-$24,000 annual merit scholarships
🔍 Interesting Find: International student-athletes remain locked out of lucrative NIL deals due to F-1 visa restrictions
⚡ Deep Dive: The $100K H-1B fee breakdown – what international students actually need to know
We're still here...let's dive in! |
Let's dive in.
Carrie at International Student Voice ⭐
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📰 TOP 3 HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
💸 Trump Administration Adds $100,000 Fee to H-1B Visas
The Trump administration dropped a major bombshell on the H-1B visa program. Starting September 21, employers will be required to pay an additional $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa application, in addition to the existing sponsorship costs. This one-time fee only applies to new applications for workers currently outside the US and doesn't affect current visa holders or renewals. The move targets what the administration calls widespread abuse of the program, where companies have been replacing American workers with lower-paid foreign workers instead of using H-1B visas for truly high-skilled positions. Critics worry that it could backfire by prompting companies to relocate their operations overseas and deterring international students from studying in the US. I'll cover this topic more extensively below in this week's Immigration Corner. (CBS News | White House Proclamation)
⚠️ J-1 Visa Program Under Fire for Worker Exploitation
A major New York Times investigation just exposed widespread abuse in the J-1 cultural exchange visa program, where young people pay thousands, expecting cultural immersion but face dangerous working conditions, wage theft, and sexual harassment instead. Workers were injured at unsafe workplaces, forced into grueling labor for meager pay, and threatened with deportation when they complained. The root problem is that the State Department outsources monitoring to "sponsors" who charge $1,000-$2,000+ in fees but have conflicts of interest since their profits depend on maintaining relationships with employers. When workers complained about abuse, sponsors often ignored them or told them to find new jobs within weeks or leave the country. Meanwhile, problem employers continued hiring new J-1 workers year after year. (New York Times)
📉 Small Colleges See Largest International Student Enrollment Drops
New Trump administration policies affecting international students are having uneven impacts across higher education institutions. While large, selective universities like Harvard and Princeton report stable international enrollment numbers, smaller regional and private colleges are experiencing significant declines this fall. Visa processing delays appear to be a major factor, with students admitted in spring unable to secure interview appointments for fall enrollment. The enrollment drops are creating financial challenges for smaller institutions that rely more heavily on international tuition revenue to support their operations. (Inside Higher Ed)
🎓 FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP
Florida International University
FIU offers automatic merit-based scholarships ranging from $4,000-$24,000 annually for international students with strong academic performance, plus out-of-state tuition waivers that significantly reduce costs. Additional funding opportunities are available through FIU's Academic Works database and Florida Linkage Programs for students from partner countries. We help students apply to US universities and navigate life in the US, reply to this email to learn about our services.
🔍 INTERESTING FIND
🚫 International Student-Athletes Locked Out of NIL Deals
While colleges heavily recruit international athletes (who make up 64% of Division I men's tennis and 61% of women's tennis), these same students are barred from earning money through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals due to F-1 visa restrictions. The 25,000 international NCAA athletes face potential deportation or visa violations if they participate in brand sponsorships, social media monetization, or promotional activities that domestic athletes can freely pursue. Universities benefit from their athletic performance and revenue generation but offer little guidance on navigating these complex immigration rules, creating an unfair two-tier system in college sports. (The EDU Ledger)
News in 1 Sentence
After failing to secure an H-1B visa three times through the lottery system, a 26-year-old software engineer successfully obtained an O-1 "Einstein visa" by leveraging his six years of AI research contributions, published work, and hackathon judging experience that naturally aligned with the visa's "extraordinary ability" requirements.
Trump administration suspended visa processing for Palestinian passport holders, leaving dozens of Gaza students with university admissions stuck and unable to reach the U.S. despite having fully funded spots at institutions like the University of Maryland.
More American students are applying to European universities as applications to the UK rose 14% this year, driven by rising US college costs ($11,000-$30,000 vs. Europe's $9,000 average) and political turmoil on American campuses.
Federal immigration judge ordered Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil to be deported to Algeria or Syria after denying his waiver request, citing alleged misrepresentations on his green card paperwork amid his pro-Palestinian activism.
F-1 visa students face anxiety over unclear work authorization rules after a PhD student worked for DoorDash during financial hardship, now worried about whether to disclose this potentially unauthorized employment when filing for their green card.
DEEP DIVE: IMMIGRATION CORNER 🛂
The $100K H-1B Fee: What International Students Need to Know
A new presidential proclamation, effective September 21, 2025, introduces a one-time $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visa petitions. There is still A LOT that we don't know, but this is what I've been able to gather so far. Please note: this is not a complete listing, and I'm sure more updates will be coming out as we get closer to the lottery.
What changed
The $100,000 payment applies to new H-1B petitions when the worker is outside the United States and seeking entry after the effective date.
The Department of Homeland Security can grant national interest exceptions for individuals, employers, or entire sectors.
The fee is temporary — the proclamation sets it to expire after 12 months (unless extended).
What didn’t change
It does not apply to extensions, renewals, or current H-1B holders.
It is a one-time payment tied to eligible petitions, not an annual charge.
Cap-exempt employers such as universities and nonprofit research institutions remain exempt from the H-1B cap and are not subject to this new payment.
What does this likely mean for F-1 students?
The big question: If you are already in the US on F-1 (including OPT) and your employer wants to sponsor your H-1B, does the $100,000 payment apply? Because the proclamation is framed as a restriction on entry from abroad. I've been reading statements from attorneys and international education leaders, most say the fee most likely won't apply since students are in the country, but they are waiting for more guidance from USCIS. So...I think this is still to be determined...and it all comes down to "interpretation."
Why this change
The administration says the fee is intended to deter misuse of the H-1B program by low-wage outsourcing practices and to prioritize higher-paid, higher-skilled roles.
Reactions at a glance
Industry groups warn the policy could deter talent and push more work offshore.
Supporters say it will curb misuse and help wages.
Immigration attorneys expect more guidance from agencies and possible legal challenges.
What to do now
Confirm your plan with your school’s international office and your employer’s immigration counsel, especially if you plan to travel outside the US anytime soon.
Watch for updates from USCIS and the State Department as implementation details roll out, including any clarifications to exceptions. I'll also be sure to keep on top of any updates.
Consider employers who are exempt from the H-1B cap and lottery system. I plan to have a story next week from an international student who successfully found employment and forgoes the lottery altogether.
Sources
Presidential Proclamation restricting entry of certain H-1B workers, signed Sept. 19, 2025, effective Sept. 21, 2025.
USCIS and U.S. Department of State implementation materials and FAQs (forthcoming at the time of writing).
Reuters and Business Insider explainers on the scope and entry focus of the policy.
Immigration law firm client alerts analyzing change-of-status vs. consular cases and cap-exempt scenarios (e.g., firm advisories published after Sept. 19, 2025).
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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