Welcome to Dale's Digest, a curated newsletter from Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA). Below are a collection of articles from reliable sources regarding news and trends in international enrollment.
U.S. State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance for Applicants from 75 Countries
On January 14, the U.S. State Department (DOS) announced that it would pause immigrant visa issuance at U.S. consulates worldwide starting January 21 for nationals of 75 countries DOS deemed "at high risk of public benefits usage." During the pause, DOS will conduct "a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge." Read more in the ICEF Monitor.
As noted on NAFSA's web page on the development, the pause does not affect nonimmigrant visas including F student, J exchange visitor, and H-1B work visas.
U.S. House of Representatives Passes $667 Million in Funding for International Education and Exchange
With the January 30 funding deadline looming, members of Congress are working to pass several appropriations bills in order to avoid another government shutdown.
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that funds the educational and cultural exchange programs of the State Department at $667 million, a $74 million cut from the fiscal 2025 level. Despite the cut, the bill shows that Congress still supports these important programs, as noted in NAFSA's Connecting Our World newsletter last Friday.
The bill, which is part of a series that constitute fiscal 2026 appropriations, will be considered by the Senate next week when they return from recess.
Judge Rules That International Students in United States Can't Be Targeted for Exercising Free Speech
A federal judge in Boston has issued an order limiting the federal government's ability to arrest or deport noncitizens involved in a landmark case against the Trump administration, according to The Boston Globe. U.S. District Judge William Young's January 22 order follows his September ruling that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "intentionally and in concert" implemented executive orders "to chill protected speech" and violated the First Amendment.
In the decision, Young wrote, "This case―perhaps the most important ever to fall within the jurisdiction of this district court―squarely presents the issue whether noncitizens lawfully present here in United States actually have the same free speech rights as the rest of us. The Court answers this Constitutional question unequivocally 'yes, they do.'"
Documents unsealed by Young and reported by The New York Timesshow that Secretary Rubio personally approved deportations after receiving memos largely describing students' participation in pro-Palestinian protests and writings about Gaza.
How U.S. Universities Are Supporting International Graduate Students and Scholars
A recent article from Inside Higher Ed highlights some of the innovative programs universities have developed to support international graduate students and scholars, who contribute an estimated $42.9 billion to the U.S. economy.
The piece outlines various initiatives, including those related to career development and professional preparedness, mentorship networks connecting students with alumni, community-building to reduce isolation, systematic recognition of international achievements, peer support through student associations, and guidance navigating complex immigration processes and policy changes.
