A federal judge in Boston on May 23, 2025, temporarily blocked a Trump administration order that would have revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll international students. The directive from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and resulting lawsuit from Harvard have escalated the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and the Ivy League institution. It’s also the latest step […] … learn more→
Tag Archives: international students

Harvard fights to keep enrolling international students – 4 essential reads about their broader impact

Deporting international students risks making the US a less attractive destination, putting its economic engine at risk
In early April 2025, the Trump administration terminated the immigration statuses of thousands of international students listed in a government database, meaning they no longer had legal permission to be in the country. Some students self-deported instead of facing deportation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced that it would reverse the terminations after courts across the country […] … learn more→

The Australian government will cap new international students at 270,000 in 2025. But this number may not be reached
After months of speculation, the federal government has announced what the cap will be for international students in Australia. In 2025, the number of international students starting a course will be set at 270,000. This includes both higher education and vocational education courses. This still requires parliamentary approval. The Senate needs to pass legislation to allow the government […] … learn more→

International students will offer a big boost to the US economy this back-to-school season
Of the millions of young adults heading off to college this fall, many will be international students. If trends continue, about 1 million students from around the world will come to the U.S. to pursue higher education this year. These young scholars make a big economic impact. Altogether, they pump more than US$40 billion into the U.S. economy and support […] … learn more→

Why international students are taking the ‘back door’ route into England’s top universities
In January, England’s university leaders had their weekend breakfasts disturbed by an undercover investigation in the Sunday Times. Using secret film of recruitment agents, the newspaper reported on a “back door” route which lets international students into Russell Group universities with “far lower grades” than students from the UK. Like the Ivy League in USA and Australia’s Group of […] … learn more→

Why unis and vocational colleges are key to Australia’s temporary migration challenge
The number of temporary migrants in Australia is booming after falls during the pandemic. Of this group, current and former international students are the largest component. This comes as the federal government’s new migration review found “hard choices are required” to halt the increase in “permanently temporary” migrants in Australia. These are people who have lived in the country […] … learn more→

International students face exploitation in Canada and abroad
Up to 700 Indian international students were recently found to have allegedly arrived in Canada with fraudulent admission letters from post-secondary institutions. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada only discovered the letters were fraudulent years after some of the students graduated and had applied for work permits or permanent residence. The students have been accused of misrepresenting their […] … learn more→

Australia wants international students to stay and work after graduation. They find it difficult for 4 reasons
International students are flooding back to Australian universities. Some predictions say 2023 could even see record numbers of overseas students in the country. This is not only good news for universities, but potentially good news for Australian employers. Part of the Albanese government’s plan to boost skills in Australia is to try and ensure more students stay […] … learn more→

International students are returning to Australia, but they are mostly going to more prestigious universities
When Australia’s borders slammed shut during COVID, international students were among those who were stranded. This disrupted lives and studies, and put a major revenue stream for Australian universities in doubt. The latest data shows international students are returning to Australia. Since international borders reopened in December 2021, the number of overseas students in Australia has risen […] … learn more→

How universities can support international students beyond orientation week
Orientation to local culture and society offered by post-secondary education institutions is common, especially during the first couple of weeks of the new semester. In weeks and months to come, the international students will continue to adapt to their new environment and communities. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic brings another layer of complexity and uncertainty to international students’ university lives. […] … learn more→