Policy Updates

Used for immigration and visa policy changes as well as Executive Order updates. 

New Proposed Optional Practical Training Fee Rule

October 7, 2026

On Wednesday October 7, 2026 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a branch of the US Department of Homeland Security published in the Federal Register a new Proposed Optional Practical Training Fee Rule impacting students holding F-1 status.

Is the Proposed Rule Effective Now? What is the timeline?

To be clear: This is a proposed rule and it is not currently in effect. F-1 students can continue to apply for OPT/STEM OPT...

Filing of Lawsuit Challenging ICE Policy Changes to Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

October 7, 2026

On October 5, 2026, four major U.S. higher education organizations (NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Association of American Universities, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts) jointly sued the federal government (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice) in a Massachusetts federal court regarding recent policy guidance changes related to...

Federal Judge Strikes Down $100,000 H1B Fee

June 9, 2026

Updated 6/16/2026: On June 12, 2026, a federal district court in Massachusetts temporarily paused its previous June 8 order that had blocked the $100,000 H-1B fee. As a result of this update, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is once again authorized to require the fee for H-1B petitions that are filed for or are only approvable for consular notification.

This temporary pause will remain in place until an appeals court can rule on the government's anticipated request for a stay. However, the district court has given the government...

Proposed Rule to Eliminate Duration of Status

September 2, 2025

Updated 10/1/2025

On August 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposal to change how F-1/F-2 and J-1/J-2 international students and scholars and their families are admitted to the U.S. and the process for extending their stay. This change would eliminate the long-standing "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, which...

District Court Vacates and Declares USCIS Adjudication Hold Unlawful

June 5, 2026

On Friday, June 5th 2026, a federal judge in Rhode Island, Judge McConnell, issued a decision officially ruling unlawful four recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies.

Most importantly, this includes the USCIS adjudication hold. This hold had paused the processing of immigration applications—such as green cards, work permits (including OPT and STEM OPT), and asylum—for...

USCIS Adjustment of Status Memo

May 24, 2026

On May 22, USCIS announced a new policy on Adjustment of Status reaffirming that Adjustment of Status is considered a discretionary benefit rather than an entitlement. The memo does not appear to ban adjustment of status applications nor does it create new eligibility requirements. However, pending as well as new cases will likely now face additional scrutiny and approval will be subject to...

Pause in Immigrant Visa Processing

January 16, 2026

On January 14, 2026 the U.S. Department of State posted an announcement relating to a pause in the processing of immigrant visas that will take effect on January 21, 2026.

Who is impacted?

This pause only applies to individuals who are seeking to obtain an immigrant visa allowing them to enter the U.S. and become a...

Brief Summary of actions around Executive Orders, Policies, and Legislation as of January 20, 2025 that could potentially impact non-immigrants who are on F-1, J-1, H-1B or other non-immigrant visas

January 28, 2025

This page shares information and resources related to recent executive orders, policies, and legislation, as well as their potential impact to our international students, scholars and employees. While we try to ensure our information is timely and accurate, new updates can come unexpectedly. We recommend referring to verified government sources for official information, or to NAFSA's webpage on Executive and Regulatory Actions for detailed information and analysis of current executive and...

Brief Summary of actions around Executive Orders, Policies, and Legislation as of March 17, 2025 that could potentially impact non-immigrants who are on F-1, J-1, H-1B or other non-immigrant visas

March 17, 2025

This page shares information and resources related to recent executive orders, policies, and legislation, as well as their potential impact to our international students, scholars and employees. While we try to ensure our information is timely and accurate, new updates can come unexpectedly. We recommend referring to verified government sources for official information, or to NAFSA's webpage on Executive and Regulatory Actions for detailed information and analysis of current executive and...

6/4/2025 Presidential Proclamation: Visa Issuance Ban Impacting 19 Countries

June 5, 2025

On June 4, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation titled "Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats." This executive order introduces new travel restrictions and visa limitations, effective at 12:01 EST on...