The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed lawsuits on behalf of students at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, alleging a nationwide policy of mass termination of student status by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a restraining order for Xiaotian Liu, a Dartmouth College computer science student from China, who had his status terminated. Similar challenges have been filed in Georgia and California.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/international-students-file-legal-challenges-widespread-visa-revocations/507-757d998b-1233-4c5d-a6f6-008a6df8d2b2Harvard University has refused to accept a deal with the Trump administration over funding, vowing not to "surrender its independence or constitutional rights". The US government had threatened to halt $9 billion in funding if Harvard agreed to certain conditions. In response, Harvard's lawyers sent a letter to US agencies, including the Department of Education, stating that private universities cannot be taken over by the federal government.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/no-takeover-harvard-refuses-to-surrender-independence-after-trump-threat-20250415-p5lruc.htmlHarvard University has defied President Trump's demands, rejecting a letter that called for broad government and leadership reforms, as well as changes to its admissions policies. The university's president, Alan Garber, vowed not to negotiate over Harvard's independence or constitutional rights. The move comes after the White House announced a pause on $2.2 billion in federal funding and $60 million in multi-year contracts due to Harvard's refusal to comply with policy demands.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/eliminating-masks-to-woke-ideology-what-trump-wants-from-us-universities-harvard-university-columbia-university-8167347Canadian academics are facing increased scrutiny at the US border, with some warning of an "all-out war on universities and colleges". Foreign-born Canadians like Cheung fear they won't feel safe traveling to the US. The Canadian government has revised its advisory, urging Canadians to comply fully with US border agents and expect thorough screening, including of electronic devices. This comes after reports of foreign travelers being detained or sent to processing centers under Trump's presidency, such as actress Jasmine Mooney who was held for two weeks.
https://thestar.com/news/canada/canadian-academics-warned-to-halt-non-essential-travel-to-the-u-s-amid-trumps-crackdown/article_634f22f0-9150-4488-ab3f-1366615b2466.htmlThe US government's system for tracking international students has raised concerns among colleges and students, with many fearing swift enforcement action. Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, notes that a small number of students can create fear due to the lack of clarity on reasons and scope of the issue. As many as 1,300 students have had their visas terminated or lost status, according to reports from colleges. Some schools advise students to leave the country to avoid detention, while others have allowed those appealing terminations to stay in the US. A Georgia Tech Ph.D. student is among those who has filed a lawsuit after being targeted for termination due to an unpaid traffic fine, highlighting the uncertainty and potential consequences for international students in the US.
https://apnews.com/article/international-student-f1-visa-revoked-college-f12320b435b6bf9cf723f1e8eb8c67aeA shooting occurred at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in south Dallas, prompting a large police response and evacuation of the campus. The school district secured the area and provided counselors on site, allowing parents to reunite with students at a nearby stadium.
https://www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/shooting-reported-at-a-dallas-high-school-officials-say-campus-is-securedThe US remains a top choice for students in STEM fields due to its thriving ecosystem, according to Piyush Kumar, regional director at IDP Education. Despite a dip in interest this year due to strict immigration policies, demand is expected to pick up in the coming months. Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder of Collegify, attributes the US's appeal to global recruiters, Fortune 500 internships, and startup ecosystems around top US campuses. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) period for STEM graduates is also a major draw, with a 22% increase in applicants to top 50 US universities. Experts advise students to make early decisions and be proactive, as the immigration landscape is becoming increasingly unpredictable, and to maintain a clean digital and real-world footprint to avoid issues during the visa interview process.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/why-indian-students-see-us-as-top-choice-for-stem-despite-visa-troubles-8170798The US government has revoked or terminated the legal status of over 600 international students at more than 90 colleges and universities, according to an Associated Press review. This move is part of a recent crackdown on foreign nationals, with advocacy groups warning that hundreds more students could be affected.
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/nation-world/visa-cancellations-international-students-deportation/507-e7033957-48b6-4bb9-9d13-8de207e8187dPrashant A. Bhonsle, Founder and CEO of Kuhoo Finance, advises students to secure a student loan sanction early to demonstrate financial preparedness for their educational pursuits in the US. He recommends creating a compelling Student Opportunity Presentation (SOP) and thoroughly preparing for the visa interview. Additionally, students are encouraged to research financially strong institutions, stay updated on US visa regulations, global job trends, and long-term career prospects to make informed decisions about their future education.
https://www.ndtv.com/education/preparing-for-a-us-student-visa-heres-what-experts-recommend-8170958#pfrom=home-ndtv_mainnavigation