Want to keep up with newcomer policy updates in the U.S.? Every month, Global Cleveland publishes our newcomer policy update so that you can stay informed about the latest news.

This month’s Newcomer Update at a glance:

• Ohio Bill Restricting Foreign Owners of Property Sees Opposition in Hearings
• International Student Interviews Paused, New Social Media Searches Proposed
• Harvard Enrollment Executive Order Blocked in Court

• Congress has introduced the Venezuela TPS Act of 2025, which would designate Venezuelans in the US for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.
• Citing the increased authoritarianism of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and the deteriorating situation in the South American country, the group seeks to prevent the loss of status of Venezuelans who have fled their country.
• TPS for Venezuela has been the subject of major debate, and multiple executive orders, over the past six months.
• The group behind the bill includes Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican, and Democrats Darren Soto and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. All represent Florida, a state with a large Venezuelan International Newcomer population.
• https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salazar-soto-and-wasserman-schultz-introduce-legislation-designate-tps

• Oklahoma became the latest state to enact international medical graduate related reform; with the state’s Governor Kevin Stitt signing House Bill 2050.
• HB2050 is similar to legislation passed in states from Washington State to Florida over the past few years, offering an alternative pathway for experienced international physicians to be licensed in the state.
• The bill had bipartisan support and near unanimous votes in favor in both houses of the legislator.
• https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1788776

• A proposed bill that would ban nationals of certain countries from owning property near critical infrastructure or military installations was heard by a committee, and faced criticism from many testifying.
• The bill is intended to address concerns of overseas buyers from foreign adversaries – including China, Russia, and Iran, among others – from purchasing land near sensitive areas like military facilities or important civilian infrastructure.
• The bill though would be expansive, and include residential property, and its broad definition of near critical infrastructure covers huge portions of Ohio. A previous bill, similar to House Bill 88, was vetoed by Governor DeWine.
• Proponents view the bill as a vital national security measure, while critics say it is discriminatory and harms people with no connection to foreign governments and who pose no threat. Other states have passed similar legislation, but often have put further limits to exempt some from the restrictions, such as green card holders and duel citizens.
• https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/05/28/hundreds-push-back-against-bill-prohibiting-foreign-nationals-from-buying-property-in-ohio/

• The US State Department halted all interviews with students for F1 visas. The state department did not give a timetable as to when the pause might be lifted
• It is believed that when the interviews resume they will include more vigorous social media screening
• State Department officials have said they may screen specifically for antisemitic content or content expressing support for designated terror groups.
• https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/27/trump-team-orders-stop-to-new-student-visa-interviews-as-it-weighs-expanding-social-media-vetting-00370501

• The first group of Afrikaner Displaced Personss arrived in the United States by chartered plane this May. The group is the first major group of Displaced Personss approved for resettlement since the program was halted when the Trump administration took office earlier this year.
• Afrikaners are an ethnic group found in Southern Africa, largely of Dutch origin, who the Trump administration has said have been the victim of violence and land seizures, allegations the South African government has denied.
• It is believed additional Afrikaners will arrive in the US is in the coming months; the first group have been resettled in Minnesota, Nevada, and Idaho.
• https://www.npr.org/2025/05/12/nx-s1-5395067/first-group-afrikaner-Displaced Personss-arrive

• Citing national security concerns, the US State Department announced it will “aggressively” move to revoke visas for Chinese students.
• The move is expected to target the visas’ of students who are studying in critical fields that may be the target of espionage from China, as well as those with connections to the ruling Chinese Communist Party.
• About 280,000 Chinese students are studying in the United States; it is not clear how many of them would be affected by this policy.
• https://www.npr.org/2025/05/28/g-s1-69495/rubio-says-u-s-will-aggressively-revoke-visas-for-many-chinese-students

• In the latest in a series of actions between Harvard and the Trump administration, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed Harvard Unvinersity administrators that they would no longer be allowed to enroll international students.
• Noem criticized the campus for its coordination with China and its ruling party as well as for allowing for antisemitism on the campus. Harvard has been criticized by many, including those in the current administration, for its attitude towards campus protests critical of Israel since the outbreak of war in the Middle East in 2023.
• Harvard criticized the action and vowed to fight it in court, saying it was unlawful (it was suspended by a federal judge, see below)
• https://www.npr.org/2025/05/22/nx-s1-5407878/trump-harvard-international-students

• A judge ruled in favor or Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist employed at Harvard University, who’s detention has become a high-profile Migration case.
• Petrova has been accused of illegally bringing scientific samples into the US.
• The judge in the case said that there was no legal basis for the revoking of her visa, and that the biological samples were not harmful or dangerous.
• Petrova, a critic of the Russian government, has said her life would be in grave danger if deported to Russia.
• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/science/russian-scientist-harvard-charges.html

• The US Supreme Court allowed a Trump Administration executive order ending the CMNH program to stand, following a similar ruling a few weeks ago involving Venezuelan migrants.
• The ruling is not final and is subject to other cases working through the court system.
• The program was started in 2022 by then-President Biden, and after a presidential executive order, Homeland Security Secretary Noem revoked the parole status of around 530,000 people.
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/30/scotus-parole-Migration-trump/

• Tufts University student Rümseya Öztürk was released from a federal detention center after six weeks of detention. Federal Judge William Sessions ordered her release.
• Ozturk, a native of Turkey, wrote an op-ed in the student newspaper that was highly critical of Israel and called for the university to divest from the country. She has not been charged with any crime related to her activities or op ed, and her attorneys challenged her detention on first amendment grounds.
• This case is one of several high profile revocations of visas for international students, often ones who have made controversial remarks on Israel and the Gaza War.
• https://splc.org/2025/05/court-orders-release-of-tufts-op-ed-writer-in-win-for-free-speech/

• A federal judge instituted a temprorary block on an Executive Order banning Harvard from enrolling international students.
• Citing first amendment grounds, Federal Judge Allison Burroughs issued a restraining order blocking the implementation of the ban, which had followed a lengthy series of disputes between the university and the Trump administration.
• Harvard has around 7,000 international students, which comprise over a quarter of the university’s student body.
• https://www.npr.org/2025/05/23/nx-s1-5408987/harvard-international-students-lawsuit-trump