As of 12:01 a.m. on October 1st, 2025, the federal government is in a shutdown. Shutdowns are rare in other democracies but have become more common (and longer) in the U.S. A shutdown halts many government activities and stops pay for federal workers, creating a sense of disorder for American citizens and businesses.

In recent months, media attention has focused on international students attending U.S. universities. Questions include the number of international students, their country of origin, and the degree to which they are displacing U.S. students.

The United States is home to more immigrants than any other country in the world. While the U.S. made up just 4 percent of the global population in 2024, it was home to 17 percent of all international migrants.