Office of International Students and Scholars

For current information on the proposal's status, potential impacts on international students and scholars, and guidance for the Lehigh community, please click here. 

*Emailed out 4/6

As you plan for the summer, we want to help you make informed decisions about international travel. While summer travel is permitted, current visa delays and the uncertainty of new policies mean that travel this year carries more risk than usual. Plan summer travel very carefully as re-entry to the United States is never guaranteed and is subject to valid documentation, visa validity, and inspection by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection

You should strongly reconsider international travel if:

• You will need to apply for a new U.S. visa while abroad
• You are from a country affected by travel restrictions or additional vetting
• You cannot accommodate potential delays returning to the U.S.

Travel is generally lower risk if:

• You already have a valid visa
• Your immigration documents are up to date
• Your situation is straightforward

If you are unsure, we strongly encourage you to speak with an OISS advisor before booking travel. Additional resources addressing the travel ban and other restrictions including increased vetting are available on OISS website

If You Plan to Travel

Please be sure you visit the OISS website for more guidance on travel. You will need the following documents:

• A passport valid at least six months beyond your return date
• A valid F-1 or J-1 visa (unless visa-exempt, e.g., Canadian citizens)
• A current I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
• Proof of continued enrollment or employment (recommended)

Keep in mind:

• Re-entry to the U.S. is never guaranteed
• Visa appointment availability remains limited in many locations
• Additional security screening may cause delays of several weeks or longer

Current Risks to Consider

We encourage you to visit the U.S. Dept of State (DOS) website and obtain updated information from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate where you are planning to apply for your visa 

• Visa Delays: U.S. consulates continue to experience significant backlogs
• Travel Restrictions: Some countries remain subject to additional screening or restrictions
• Global Conditions: Conflict and instability in some regions may impact visa processing or embassy operations

If any of these apply to you, please consult OISS before making plans. Additional resources addressing the travel ban and other restrictions including increased vetting are available on OISS website

Choosing to Stay in the U.S.

Many students may choose to remain in the U.S. this summer due to these uncertainties. This is generally permitted as long as you maintain your immigration status, and enrollment is not required during the summer.

Lehigh will offer:

• Summer housing and limited dining options
• OISS advising and programming
• Access to select campus services and support

More details will be shared through campus offices.

Policy Update (For Awareness)

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed policy may change how length of stay (Duration of Status or D/S) is determined for F-1 and J-1 holders. This has not yet been implemented, but could affect future travel. No action is needed at this time: Continue to follow current rules. If the rule is implemented while you are abroad, you could re-enter under the new system. OISS will provide updates if this moves forward.

We’re Here to Help

Summer travel decisions are highly individual. If you have questions or would like to discuss your situation, please schedule an appointment with your advisor through iHome.

What was announced: On May 22, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, which changes how Green Card applications filed inside the U.S. (Adjustment of Status) are evaluated. The guidance frames this process as an "extraordinary" benefit rather than a standard right. In summary, going forward, temporary visa holders (ex. H-1B) should expect to return to their home countries to apply for a Green Card at a U.S. Consulate, unless they can prove "extraordinary circumstances." 

What we know: This is a major shift from how things have been done for decades, and the policy was put in place directly by USCIS rather than through a vote in Congress. The government has promised to release more specific instructions soon on how this will affect different visa types. In the meantime, legal experts expect major lawsuits to be filed quickly to challenge whether the government even has the right to make this change without Congress..

• The law has not changed: The actual federal law (the Immigration and Nationality Act) and the official rules regarding who is eligible for a Green Card remain exactly the same.
• The route is still legally open: On paper, the official government policy manual still recognizes that changing your status to a green card from inside the U.S. is a valid pathway for employment and family-based applicants.
• What has changed is how it’s enforced: Instead of changing the law, the government is trying to change how immigration officers use their personal judgment (discretion) to approve or deny applications.
• More details are coming: The government has promised to release more specific instructions soon on how this will affect different visa types. In the meantime, legal experts expect major lawsuits to be filed quickly to challenge whether the government even has the right to make this change without Congress.

How this will impact you: If you are currently in the process of, or planning on, applying for a Green Card, this policy could require traveling abroad to complete your application through a U.S. Consulate. This could potentially cause disruptions to your work and travel due to existing visa processing backlogs overseas.

• More Strict Review: Immigration officers will look much closer at almost all Green Card applications (both employment- and family-based), though we don’t yet know how strict they will be in practice, this rule being very new.
• Many temporary visas are affected including H-1B, F-1, O-1: If you are currently in the U.S. on a temporary visa and you are either in the middle of applying for a Green Card whether or not sponsored by Lehigh or planning to start soon, you need to watch this situation very closely. If you are already working with an immigration attorney on your green card application, we advise that you reach out to them to discuss how this policy will impact your application.
• Longer, unpredictable wait times overseas: If you are from a country that already faces massive Green Card backlogs (like India or China) or a country with travel restrictions, this policy which forces one to apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country makes things very complicated
• "Dual Intent" Status is Still Safe: The government explicitly stated that it is still completely legal to hold an H-1B visa while pursuing a Green Card; this policy does not cancel out your current status. 
• Just maintaining legal status no longer guarantees green card approval: In the past, simply maintaining your legal temporary status meant your Green Card application was highly likely to be approved. With the new policy, simply maintaining your legal temporary status is no longer enough to automatically guarantee that USCIS will let you finish your Green Card process inside the U.S.

Next Steps:

We are closely monitoring this situation as it unfolds. We will keep you fully informed of any new developments, legal halts, or clarified guidance as soon as they become available. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) if you have any questions.

On January 1, USCIS issued a policy memorandum expanding its adjudication hold and re-review policies to cover all immigration benefit requests for foreign nationals from the 39 countries on the updated travel ban list and those with Palestinian Authority travel documents. The memo also requires re-review of approvals issued on or after January 20, 2021, and confirms that employment-based petitions are subject to these holds

Policy Impact:

• USCIS benefits of international students, faculty and scholars born in the 39 travel ban countries will be frozen indefinitely retroactive to 2021
• Anticipate indefinite delays in USCIS processing for employment e.g. OPT/STEM OPT, H-1B
• Changes of status, e.g. from F-1 OPT to H-1B status are currently on hold. Standard timelines no longer apply.
• Existing visas remain valid; however, impacted individuals should avoid leaving the U.S. since re-entry may trigger mandatory secondary inspections or the new "hold and review" protocol, risking stranded status abroad.
• All international students and scholars (F-1 and J-1 visas) should always ensure SEVIS compliance. With retroactive re-reviews of benefits approved since January 2021, any record inaccuracy is a major risk. 

Affected individuals must consult with the Office of International Students & Scholars or qualified immigration counsel before taking any adjudicative action.

FAQ: USCIS Adjudication Holds & Re-Review Policy

1. Which countries are included in this policy?

The policy currently impacts individuals who are citizens of, or were born in, the following 39 countries, as well as individuals traveling with Palestinian Authority travel documents:

2. I have a pending OPT/STEM OPT application. What should I expect?

While you may still file your application to meet regulatory deadlines, USCIS has placed a pause on final adjudications. This means your application will likely be processed up until the final decision point and then held. You should prepare for:

• Significant delays beyond the standard 90–120 day window.
• Potential Requests for Evidence (RFEs) regarding your background or status.
• A freeze on the issuance of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

3. What does "Retroactive Re-review" mean?

USCIS is reviewing immigration benefits (like OPT approvals or H-1B petitions) that were granted on or after January 20, 2021. They are checking for "record accuracy" and ensuring all vetting requirements were met.

• Risk: If a discrepancy is found, USCIS may issue a "Notice of Intent to Revoke" (NOIR).
• Action: Ensure your SEVIS record and address history are 100% accurate. Contact OISS immediately if you receive any correspondence from USCIS regarding a past approval.

4. Can I still apply for a Change of Status (e.g., F-1 to H-1B)?

Yes, you can still file the petition, but the final decision is currently frozen. This is particularly critical for those reaching the end of their F-1 status. We strongly recommend discussing "Consular Processing" versus "Change of Status" with an immigration attorney to evaluate which path holds less risk for your specific situation.

5. Is it safe for me to travel home for a visit?

International students and scholars from the 39 travel‑ban‑designated countries are advised to avoid non‑essential international travel. Exercise extra caution when making travel plans and avoid international travel particularly if you do not have a valid visa in your passport. Even if you have a visa, the new policy mandates "secondary inspections" for many returning from the 39 listed countries.

6. Will this affect my current employment?

If you already have a valid EAD or H-1B and are working, your current authorization remains valid. However, because extensions and renewals are subject to the new hold, you should begin the renewal process as early as legally permitted and alert your employer to the possibility of processing delays.

On December 16, 2025, the White House issued a new Presidential Proclamation expanding U.S. travel restrictions. This policy builds upon the previous June 2025 Proclamation. The travel restrictions will prevent immigrant and non-immigrant entry to the United States for nationals of the countries listed below, who are outside the U.S. and do not have a valid U.S. visa on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026. 

Who is impacted and how?

Fully restricted countries: Individuals from these countries are barred from being issued a U.S. visa and entering the country in any immigrant or nonimmigrant status.

• Full restrictions and entry limitations from Presidential Proclamation 10949 remain on nationals from:
  • Afghanistan
  • Burma
  • Chad
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Libya
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Yemen
• Full restrictions and entry limitations were added for nationals of:
  • Burkina Faso
  • Laos
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Sudan
  • Syria
  • and for individuals holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents 

Partially restricted countries: The policy also includes heightened restrictions for immigrants and non-immigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. Nationals from the countries listed below are barred from being issued immigrant visas and nonimmigrant B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, or J visas and are prohibited from entering the U.S. in those statuses. 

• Partial restrictions and entry limitations from Presidential Proclamation 10949 remain on nationals of:
  • Burundi
  • Cuba
  • Togo
  • Venezuela
• Partial restrictions and entry limitations were added for 15 additional countries:
  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Cote d’Ivoire
  • Dominica
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Nigeria
  • Senegal
  • Tanzania
  • Tonga
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
• The new Proclamation lifts the ban on nonimmigrant visas for nationals of Turkmenistan. However, entry of immigrants is suspended for nationals of Turkmenistan. 

Who is NOT impacted?

• Nationals from the countries listed above who have a U.S. visa that is valid on or after January 1, 2026.
• Nationals from the affected countries who are physically present in the U.S. before January 1, 2026.
• Any lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• Certain visa categories, like athletes and diplomats.
• Individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests. 

Guidance for Students, Scholars, and Employees

• The Office of International Students and Scholars advise individuals from affected countries to carefully evaluate travel plans after Jan 1, 2026.
• Continue monitoring the OISS website for updates on implementation and related executive actions.

The OIA and OISS are monitoring developments and will follow up with direct communication with those who may be affected. In the meantime, we encourage individuals from impacted countries to review the accompanying fact sheet from the White House for more detail. If your country of citizenship is included in the list of impacted countries, we strongly recommend reconsidering any upcoming international travel.  

We recognize that this news may be distressing and unsettling. Please know that you are valued, welcomed, and supported here at Lehigh University. Our international students, scholars, and faculty are a vital part of what makes Lehigh University a vibrant, global community.  Lehigh remains committed to advocating for and supporting all members of our international community as we navigate these rapid policy developments together.  

Source Summary available : https://www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/proclamation-december-16-2025-travel-ban-effective-january-1-2026?_gl=1*1psq7kx*_gcl_au*NTY3MDAxMDIzLjE3NjQ3ODI1MjA.*FPAU*NTY3MDAxMDIzLjE3NjQ3ODI1MjA.*_ga*MTQ0ODY1MjQzLjE3NTY4MzI0MjY.*_ga_X8EW4FTG60*czE3NjYwODI3NzAkbzExOSRnMSR0MTc2NjA4MjgyOCRqMiRsMCRoMTIzOTYyNzA2OQ..*_fplc*TSUyRjRkYzVWYnZQV1VVWDFMMDE0YlZTR1lVRU1nZmJDaiUyRkFwWVRDZmVPa0xZZ1ZwWEx1TVVaeUVRS1hXZGQwblVDa1M4R3RJMTFNb3NFOTl1OHMyNWpmWVlzckRQMGNvdmtNUDNpNVUlMkZNdmdiR3VyWlklMkYlMkZnSVhUZkJ1RyUyRml3JTNEJTNE 

Urgent Travel Advisory for Lehigh H-1B and H-4 International Faculty and Scholars

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is issuing this urgent alert regarding significant, unilateral rescheduling of H-1B and H-4 visa appointments at U.S. Embassy and Consulate posts in India. This will affect individuals who have upcoming travel plans.

Key Policy Change and Impact Summary

On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced new consular guidance on social media vetting for international student visa (F, M, and J) applicants. On December 3, 2025, DOS announced that it will expand the social media vetting to international employees and their dependents applying for H-1B and H-4 visas effective December 15, 2025, instructing applicants to adjust the privacy of their social media profiles to “public.”

We have recently learned that on December 8, 2025, some applicants with H-1B and H-4 visa appointments at Mission India posts began receiving notices that their consular interviews scheduled on or after December 15, 2025, were being unilaterally rescheduled, many to March 2026. Consular posts attribute these changes to the DOS’s implementation of the new social media review requirement for H-1B applicants and their dependents, to reduce the daily interview capacity needed to carry out this expanded vetting.

Although we have not received reports about impact of this guidance at other consulates, it is likely that an increasing number of consular posts will cancel and reschedule some portion of their H-1B and H-4 visa appointments that were originally scheduled for December 15 and later.

Impact:  

• Mass Rescheduling of H-1B and H-4 Appointments: Interviews scheduled on or after December 15, 2025, are being reassigned to dates several months later, with many new appointments falling in March 2026.
• Reason for Rescheduling: Due to the DOS’s implementation of online presence reviews for all H‑1B applicants and H-4 dependents, consular posts are reducing daily interview capacity to accommodate this vetting process.
• Do Not Appear on Original Dates: Applicants are explicitly instructed not to appear on their original appointment date, as they will not be seen.
• Biometrics Appointments Unchanged: Applicants are advised that their Visa Application Centre (VAC) biometrics appointments remain valid and unaffected.
• Limited Rescheduling: Applicants who cannot attend on the new date may attempt to reschedule online but are limited to one opportunity to reschedule. Fee receipts older than one year are considered expired and cannot be used to reschedule.

Essential Action Steps for Affected Faculty and Scholars

If you or your H-4 dependents have a visa appointment in India scheduled for December 15, 2025, or later, please take the following steps immediately:

• Check Your Portal: Log in to your visa appointment profile immediately to retrieve your updated appointment letter and review any message-center notifications for the newly assigned date.
• Travel Reconsideration: The OISS strongly advises against non-essential international travel for visa stamping if your visa is expired or if you are seeking initial H-1B visa issuance. Travel now carries a high risk of being stranded abroad for several months due to the processing delays.
• Reschedule Constraint: You are limited to one opportunity to reschedule online if the new date is unworkable, provided your fee receipt is less than one year old.
• Biometrics Unaffected: Your Visa Application Centre (VAC) biometrics appointment remains valid and is unaffected by this change.
• Communicate with Your Department: If your appointment has been rescheduled, you must promptly notify your Department Chair and/or supervisor to discuss potential contingency plans. 

If you already hold H-1B status in the U.S., traveling and applying for a visa abroad will not subject you to the new $100,000 fee, which is imposed on new H-1B beneficiaries entering for the first time from abroad. However, your visa appointment may still be subject to rescheduling by the Consulate for a later date.

Contact OISS immediately at intnl@lehigh.edu before making any plans to travel internationally if you are affected.

Sources:

Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicant (June 18, 2025)

Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants (December 3, 2025), effective December 15, 2025

https://www.nafsa.org/sites/default/files/media/document/Electronic-Device-Searches-at-U-S-Ports-of-Entry.pdf 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/many-h-1b-h-4-visa-appointments-cancelled-as-new-social-media-review-is-set-to-kicks-in/articleshow/125870767.cms 

This is regarding the Presidential Proclamation of September 19, 2025, which introduced a $100,000 fee requirement for certain H-1B petitions. Guidance from federal agencies continues to emerge, and while not all details are settled, here is what we know so far.

What We Know

• Effective Date & Duration
  The Proclamation took effect September 21, 2025 and will remain in place for 12 months, unless extended.

• New Fee Requirement
  Employers filing H-1B petitions for individuals outside the U.S. must now include a $100,000 payment. Without it, the individual will not be admitted.

• Current H-1B Holders Unaffected
  According to USCIS guidance (Sept. 20), the Proclamation does not impact current H-1B visa holders, existing visa stamps, or petitions already approved.

• Travel Still Permitted
  Individuals with a valid H-1B visa stamp may continue to travel internationally and reenter the U.S.

• In-Country Filings Continue
  Extensions, amendments, and transfers for H-1B workers already inside the U.S. remain unaffected.

As of October 20,2025, USCIS has now issued additional clarification on the impact and implementation of this policy, and our previous guidance remains unchanged:

• The $100K fee applies only to new H-1B petitions filed for individuals outside the United States who do not currently hold a valid H-1B visa. Employers filing such petitions must include the $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility.
• This requirement does not apply to individuals already in the United States, including those who are working or studying on F-1 visas through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or are changing status from F-1 to H-1B while remaining in the country. In other words, students transitioning from OPT to H-1B are not subject to this new fee.
• Current H-1B holders, approved petitions, and valid visa stamps remain unaffected, and there is no need for any employee or department to alter existing travel plans or employment arrangements.
• Extensions, amendments, and transfers for individuals already in H-1B status inside the U.S. will continue under standard procedures.
• At this stage, the key uncertainties involve how the government will define “national interest” exemptions and whether any future rulemaking will affect wage thresholds or program priorities.

For Lehigh, these clarifications mean that the immediate impact is limited, and our previous guidance regarding searches remains unchanged. Departments should continue their current hiring practices, including the consideration of international candidates, and work with OISS for case-specific guidance.Most of our international faculty, postdocs, and staff -- along with international students moving from OPT to H-1B-- will not be affected by this rule. The $100,000 fee applies only to a small number of new hires recruited from outside the U.S.

We will continue to monitor developments closely and share further updates as federal agencies release more detailed implementation guidance.

References

• Presidential Proclamation 10973 on Whitehouse.gov

• Federal Register Publication (90 FR 46027, Sept. 24, 2025)

• White House Fact Sheet

• Agency Guidance

  • CBP Memo (Sept. 20, 2025)

  • USCIS Memorandum (Sept. 20, 2025)

  • USCIS Update (October 20, 2025)

  • USCIS FAQ (Sept. 21, 2025)

  • DOS FAQ (Sept. 21, 2025)

  • DOS News Announcement (Sept. 21, 2025)

What’s Changed

As of September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has implemented a new requirement: all nonimmigrant visa applicants must apply for their visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or their country of nationality.

Applicants can no longer choose any U.S. consulate abroad simply for convenience, if they do not reside in that country. Proof of residence in the country where the interview is scheduled will be required.

Why This Matters

• If you are studying, working, or living in a country that is not your country of nationality, you must now prove that you live in that country to apply for your visa there.
• Applications submitted from a country where you have not established residence, unless you are a citizen or there is a special exception, may be rejected or delayed.
• Visa appointment scheduling, fees, and processing may be affected — including possible longer wait times if visa services in your current country are limited.

What You Should Do

1. Determine your eligible country for application — either your country of citizenship or the place you can prove residency.
2. Collect documents proving residence (e.g. lease/rent receipts, utility bills, employment paperwork, student enrollment, etc.).
3. Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you intend to apply before making travel plans. Confirm they will accept applications under these new rules.
4. Plan ahead. Visa appointment slots may fill up more quickly, especially in locations with higher demand or limited visa operations.
5. If you have questions about whether you qualify to apply from your country of residence, or what documents work as proof, OISS is here to help. We can review your specifics and assist you to prepare.

On June 4, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential 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 proclamation takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Monday, June 9, 2025, and imposes new travel restrictions on nationals of certain countries.

Who is Affected
The proclamation suspends entry into the United States for nationals of the countries listed below, depending on visa type and location on the effective date:
Group A Countries – Full Suspension for Immigrants and Nonimmigrants (all visa types): Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen.
Group B Countries – Suspension for B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J Visas: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela.
Note: For other nonimmigrant visa types, consular officers have been instructed to reduce visa validity wherever legally permitted. 

Important Exceptions
The proclamation does not apply to:
-Individuals who are currently inside the United States.
-Individuals who hold valid U.S. visas issued prior to June 9, 2025.
-U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders). 

Recommendations from OISS
-If you are a national of one of the listed countries and currently outside the U.S., we recommend making immediate arrangements to return before June 9, if possible.
-If you are currently in the U.S., we strongly advise against any non-essential travel at this time.
-Please be aware that the U.S. government may revise or expand these restrictions at any time based on periodic assessments.

We recognize that this announcement may cause concern and uncertainty, and we want to assure you that Lehigh stands in support of our international students, scholars, and employees. You are a vital part of our university community, and we are here to support you. We are monitoring this situation closely and will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.

In February, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that is is reinforcing the legal requirement for non-U.S. citizens to register with the U.S. government under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1302).  The interim final rule that was published on March 12, 2025 provides details about the registration requirement, and designates a new registration form, G-325R.  The rule goes into effect on April 11, 2025.

The majority of international students and scholars at Lehigh University have already been issued documentation that meets the registration requirement.  USCIS details documents that verify registration (in the "How to Determine if You are Already Registered" section).  All individuals 18 years or older must carry and have in their possession evidence of their registration at all times.  For most of our students and scholars, this means that you must carry a printed copy of your I-94 record with you at all times.

Based on this new directive, nonimmigrant dependent children of our graduate students and scholars (for example, F-2, J-2, H,4, etc) who turn 14 while in the U.S. must now register or re-register within 30 days of reaching their 14th birthday.  According to DHS:

• Foreign nationals above the age of 14 who remain in the United States for 30 days of longer must apply for registration and be fingerprinted before the expiration of 30 days unless exempt as nonimmigrant visa holders who were registered and fingerprinted through their nonimmigrant visa application
• Parents and legal guardians must ensure that their children below age 14 are registered.
• Any noncitizen, regardless of previous registration, who turns 14 years old while in the United States must update their registration and be fingerprinted within 30 days after their 14th birthday.
• Individuals who register under this requirement will receive a "certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card" and must "at all times carry and have it in their personal possession." Registered individuals must notify DHS in writing of any changes of address. 

OISS encourages those with questions about this requirement or who are unsure if this applies to them to contact a qualified immigration attorney. 

Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Actions and Orders
This revokes a number of Executive Orders and Presidential Memorandums from prior administrations, including the Biden Administration.  Some of these rescinded EOs broadened adjudication standards for certain types of employment-based green cards and created new opportunities for students and scholars in STEM fields and Artificial Intelligence.  While the full impact of this rescission is uncertain, it could have an impact on immigration benefits processing and policies related to F-1 and J-1 visa regulations.

On January 29, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law.  There are two parts of the bill that OISS is paying attention to:

• It requires DHS to detain certain non-citizens (those who are undocumented) who have been arrested for or charged with certain crimes including shoplifting, theft, assaulting a police officer, or crimes that injure of kill someone.

• The bill allows states to sue the federal government for harm caused by alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.  For instance, the could allow state Attorneys General to seen bans on visa issuance from citizens from countries that will not take back deportees.

• It is too early to understand the full impact of this new law, but OISS will be paying close attention to how it is implemented.