The big story: Students from all over the globe pack their bags and travel to the United States in order to receive an education after high school. Arshia Esmaeilian, an international student who graduated from the University of South Florida last month, was one of them four years ago.
“You can imagine how my family felt when I got my F1 visa to come here,” he said. “I still can’t believe it honestly.”
Esmaeilian was born in Iran and raised in Dubai. His parents’ guiding goal was to send him and his younger brother to the West for education. Most of what they had went to their schooling.
USF became the top option for the chemistry major, due to its strong STEM program. He remembered how much he was welcomed and even joked about how being here had “Americanized” him.
Things changed in his last year of college.
Due to the Trump administration’s move to tighten immigration policies and enforcement, graduating international students like Esmaeilian have started to deal with consequences from a country they have resided in for years without issue, such as the potential risk of deportation or detainment after graduation. The war in Iran worsened it for him.
“Morale amongst the Iranian community, I would say across the whole country but I know in particular here at USF, is very low,” said Esmaeilian, also the president of the Iranian student organization. “It’s like a form of depression that’s prevalent amongst the entire community.”
Esmaeilian has no family in the country except for his brother. He hasn’t seen his parents since 2019. Among the reasons: Federal travel restrictions and fears of his inability to return if he leaves the country, the pandemic, being drafted in Iran and visa complications in Dubai.
His parents also could not come to his graduation, something Esmaeilian says is a product of “being born in the wrong place.”
“I feel like if my brother wasn’t here, I don’t know where I would be,” he said. “My brother has been a very strong support system for me. Having someone here who’s my flesh and blood has been critical.”
Hot topics
Superintendent’s seat: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation calling a referendum for Hillsborough County voters to decide whether to begin electing their schools superintendent. The measure is to be on the November 2026 ballot.
School closures: Four Miami-Dade County schools face closure at next week’s school board meeting, the Miami Herald reports.
Referendums: After debating the merit of the Duval County school district’s property tax referendum, the Jacksonville City Council agreed to place the item on the November ballot, Jacksonville Today reports. Their legal counsel advised them they have little choice.
High school sports: The FHSAA has voted to implement an eight-team “open” championship division in 11 sports for the coming school year, USA Today Florida Network reports. • The organization also introduced rules to add controls to the school transfer process, the Gainesville Sun reports. • The Polk County school board approved a $400 athletics fee for non-district student-athletes, WTVT reports.
Contract talks: Broward County teachers won’t be getting raises in their new contract agreement, the Miami Herald reports. They’ll also face increased health insurance costs.
Cameras in school zones: Manatee County is turning off its school zone cameras during summer break, the Bradenton Herald reports.
Bus cameras: The Broward County school district is the latest to add cameras to school buses as a way to catch drivers who illegally pass, WTVJ reports. The goal is safety, but also to generate revenue for the cash-strapped district.
Artificial intelligence: The Florida Department of Education is requiring school districts to include rules on AI usage in their internet safety policies, News Service of Florida reports. The Legislature did not accept legislation aimed at regulating AI during its spring session.
Number of the day
46,720 — That’s the number of international students attending Florida schools in 2024-25, according to a nonprofit organization that studies international student education. Florida ranks seventh nationally for the number of international students, but its numbers are starting to decline amid federal actions limiting visas and immigration. Read more here.
Quick quiz
State Sen. Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat, is taking a job in education after leaving office at the end of this year. What will be his position?
a) A vice president at St. Petersburg College
b) A professor at New College in Sarasota
c) A counselor at Gibbs High School
Find the answer in this story from the Tampa Bay Times.
The city of Tampa’s police chief also is entering the world of education, the Times reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
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