Latest Updates
- NAFSA Initial Analysis of Visa Revocations and other Actions Targeting International Students and Scholars. April 10, 2025. Since mid-March, NAFSA has been collecting reports of international students and scholars having their visas revoked, their record terminated in SEVIS, and/or being arrested and detained. A NAFSA press release includes our top-level findings along with ways institutions can support their students and upcoming NAFSA events where the field can come together and find community. See NAFSA's press release.
- DHS to Begin Screening Social Media Activity for Antisemitism. April 09, 2025. A DHS news release says that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) "will consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests. This guidance is effective immediately." See NAFSA's page.
- State Department Announces Plans to Revoke South Sudanese Visas. April 5, 2025. See NAFSA's page.
- House Committee Sends Letters to Several Universities Requesting Detailed Information on Chinese Students. A House committee sent letters to six U.S. University presidents asking for written responses to numerous questions regarding demographics, funding sources, research activities, security protocols, and post-graduation trajectories of Chinese national students, particularly in STEM fields, with an emphasis on affiliations with Chinese entities, federally funded research, and potential national security concerns. See NAFSA's page.
- ICE-Initiated SEVIS Record Terminations. NAFSA continues to receive numerous reports of SEVIS record terminations done by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). See NAFSA's page for some background and frameworks for understanding these actions.
Key Executive and Regulatory Actions
Government Funding, Staffing, and Operations
On February 27, 2025 a 15 day pause of current and future grant payments for the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs programs expired. Funding has not been restored.
Antisemitism Related
On March 10, a New York District Court issued an order to block the removal from the United States of a student who is a lawful permanent resident of Palestinian background, following the student's arrest by ICE agents acting under Executive Order 14188, "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism."
Vetting and Enforcement
A January 20, 2025 executive order directs federal agencies to enhance immigration screening and vetting procedures to prevent the entry of individuals who may pose a terrorist, national security, or public safety threat to the United States.
NAFSA Statements and Commentary
NAFSA Responds to ECA Funding Freeze
“The freeze on State Department grant programs threatens the survival of study abroad and international exchange programs that are essential to U.S. economic and national security," said Fanta Aw, NAFSA executive director and CEO in a statement.
Congress Urged to Intervene on Behalf of International Students
NAFSA released initial findings from its collection of field reports on visa revocations and termination of SEVIS records and, with its partners in U.S. for Success Coalition, urged Congress to intervene as a matter of national interest.
NAFSA Seeks Clarity on International Student Actions
On April 4, NAFSA, the American Council on Education, and 14 other higher education associations pressed the Departments of State and Homeland Security for more clarity and communication regarding visa revocations, SEVIS record terminations, and the detention and removal of international students and scholars.
Related Resources
2025 Policy Digest
A chronological compilation of U.S. government policy and regulatory developments and related advocacy activities, updated on a monthly basis.
Connecting Our World
Connecting Our World is NAFSA's weekly newsletter that distills the top policy and regulatory developments affecting international education and identifies how members of the field can use their voice to take action in simple but meaningful ways.
Helpful Resources
Helpful resources from NAFSA and others on initiatives under the Second Trump Administration