Recent Immigration News
October 2, 2025
The ISSO would like Brandeis Alumni on OPT and STEM, as well as Brandeis managers, to be aware of DHS/SEVP site visits.
DHS/SEVP site visits, intended to verify I-983 Training Plans, have historically been uncommon, and typically, “DHS will provide notice to the employer at least 48 hours in advance of any site visit, unless the visit is triggered by a complaint or other evidence of noncompliance with the STEM OPT extension regulations. In these cases, DHS reserves the right to conduct a site visit without notice." (Study in the States)
Through professional networks and in the news, we have learned that investigators with ICE’s Student Exchange Visitor Program [ice.gov] (SEVP) may be conducting unannounced on-site visits.
How to Prepare:
- If a government employee visits the employer, please follow the protocol your employer has established for government site visits. The protocol for Brandeis managers includes contacting Brandeis Public Safety to notify them that a government representative is on campus.
- Keep the STEM OPT Form I-983 up to date so that it properly reflects the planned training. F-1 Students sponsored by Brandeis can provide an updated Form I-983 by submitting a STEM OPT Employer Update in your ISSO Portal if your employer site address has changed.
- Remote work:
- If an employee primarily works remotely/from home, and listed that address in the SEVP portal or on the I-983, DHS officials may visit the remote address.
- Managers should be familiar with any hybrid work schedules.
- The supervisor and employee should keep a copy of the I-983 Training Plan handy:
- Brandeis Human Resources retains a copy for Brandeis employees.
- Alumni should confirm the document retention process for their employers.
- Answer any questions from DHS officials accurately and completely.
- Contacting the ISSO:
- Brandeis managers and employees should contact the ISSO scholars@brandeis.edu inbox with any questions about F-1 OPT and F-1 STEM OPT.
- Brandeis Alumni should first contact their employer for guidance regarding site visits. The ISSO may also be a resource (isso@brandeis.edu) for questions pertaining to your immigration status.
September 19, 2025
- On September 19, 2025, the President of the United States issued a Proclamation restricting the entry of H-B nonimmigrants currently outside the U.S. The order became effective 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
- On September 20, 2025, and after, we learned from USCIS that the proclamation (and the $100,000 fee):
- only applies prospectively - 09/21/2025 and beyond
- does not apply to aliens who are the beneficiaries of petitions that were filed prior to September 21, 2025, are the beneficiaries of currently approved petitions, or are in possession of validly issued H-1B non-immigrant visas.
- does not affect the ability of any current H-1B visa holder to travel to and from the United States.
- does not appear to impact H-1B extensions "H-1B renewals" for petitions filed for individuals who are already in the U.S. We are waiting for additional guidance on initial H-1B petitions requesting a change of status for the beneficiary (from F-1 to H-1B, for example) and amendments.
- allows case-by-case National Interest Exceptions (NIEs), but details on that process are not yet forthcoming.
September 6, 2025
On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that non-immigrant visa applicants, such as F-1 and J-1 applicants, should schedule their visa interviews in their country of nationality or permanent residence, and not in a third-party country.While existing appointments will generally not be canceled, and exceptions will be made for emergencies, the Department of State noted that applicants applying outside their home country may find it more difficult to qualify for a visa. Some consulates may also begin refusing these appointments at their discretion.
Additionally, due to the suspension of routine nonimmigrant visa services in certain countries, nationals of those countries must apply for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa at a designated embassy or consulate in a different location. A list of designated consulates can be found in the same announcement.
August 29, 2025
On 08/28/2025, the Department of Homeland Security published a Proposed Rule in the Federal Register regarding the discontinuation of Duration of Status (D/S) policy for F and J visa holders. As a summary, F-1 and J-1 students and exchange visitors are currently issued an entry visa with a fixed expiration date, but upon entry, they are admitted to the U.S. for Duration of Status. The proposed rule would replace D/S with a fixed expiration date on the I-94 record. This date would align with the program end date listed on the student's Form I-20 or the Exchange Visitor's DS-2019.The ISSO will monitor this issue and alert our community if there are significant changes to the current D/S policy. If you have particular questions or concerns, we encourage you to meet with an ISSO advisor.
July 31, 2025
On 07/25/2025, the Department of State announced that effective September 2, 2025, all nonimmigrant visa applicants (new applicants and those seeking visa renewals), including F-1 and J-1, will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer. This includes applicants and their dependents under the age of 14 and over the age of 79. If you need to renew your F-1 or J-1 visa, please allow additional time to schedule a visa interview as part of your renewal process. You can find more information about renewing your US visa on our website.
As a reminder, a visa is required only to enter the U.S., it does not determine how long you can remain in the U.S. If you do not plan to travel outside of the U.S. and return, while you are in F-1 or J-1 status, you will not need to renew your visa.
June 10, 2025
The travel restrictions do not apply to foreign nationals who are currently in the U.S. or traveling in the U.S. domestically.
Entry to the United States if you do not have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa in your passport, are a citizen of one of the 19 countries facing a full or partial restriction, and are currently outside of the U.S.:
The ISSO recommends that you contact your local U.S. consulate to determine if they will grant you a visa appointment and/or visa.
Entry to the United States if you are a citizen of one of the 19 countries facing a full or partial restriction, have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa issued on or prior to June 8, 2025, and are currently outside of the U.S.:
You are still able to enter the U.S. even though the travel ban is now in effect. According to CBP, travelers, regardless of nationality or visa class, presenting a visa that was issued on or prior to June 8, 2025, shall generally be permitted to travel and will be inspected by CBP in alignment with current law and regulation, if no other boarding concerns are identified.
Per the U.S. State Department, no existing visas issued before June 9, 2025, have been or will be revoked due to the travel ban.
Full Suspension:
Afghanistan
Burma
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen
Partial Suspension:
Burundi
Cuba
Laos
Sierra Leone
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
June 5, 2025
On June 4, 2025, President Trump announced a new travel ban for foreign nationals from 12 countries. When the President's order takes effect at 12:01 am on Monday, June 9, 2025, citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, The Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen will not be allowed to enter the United States.Additionally, citizens of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will no longer be able to apply for student visas. The ban provisions are applicable only to nationals of the subject country who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa as of June 9, 2025. Individuals who are inside the United States on June 9, 2025, or who are outside the United States on that date but have a visa that is valid as of June 9, 2025, would likely not be covered by the ban.
We understand that this new development may bring up questions and concerns. If you are from one of these countries, please consult with the ISSO before making any international travel plans. You can book an appointment with your assigned advisor via our Booking Page.
May 23, 2025
Brandeis University was established to welcome talented faculty and students of all backgrounds and beliefs, and we remain profoundly committed to that foundational vision. In light of the announcement on May 22, 2025, that Harvard University was losing its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification and the ongoing lawsuit, we want to acknowledge the concerns of our international community. The press has reported that Harvard University filed a complaint against the Department of Homeland Security, and that on Friday, 05/23/2025, the U.S. District Court, Massachusetts granted a motion for a temporary restraining order.
Brandeis University deeply values our international community and acknowledges the ongoing strain of the last five months. The ISSO continues to monitor events as they transpire and determine how they directly affect the Brandeis community. Brandeis administrative offices remain open all summer, and staff are available in ISSO, Arts and Sciences, Heller, BIBS, and GSAS to answer your questions. We will share additional information as it becomes available.
The ISSO welcomes our international students, scholars, and staff to connect directly with your assigned ISSO advisor to talk about individual concerns. To make an appointment, please visit our Booking Page.
April 4, 2025
Dear Students,
We know many of you are concerned about current events and some of you have requested more guidance on what to do if you have an interaction with an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent on campus. The ISSO would like to share this resource from the Brandeis Department of Public Safety:
Here's What To Do If You Are Approached by an ICE Agent at Brandeis
The ISSO would like to assure all of our students and scholars in J-1 and F-1 status sponsored by Brandeis that we regularly monitor your immigration records in SEVIS to confirm they are active and in good order.
Immigration and other legal matters present complex issues that can be difficult to navigate. The university cannot provide legal advice to individuals and always recommends that those with questions consult their own attorneys promptly. The Division of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging has a list of resources related to immigration that may be of use to community members.
As always, if you have any concerns or questions about your immigration status or about resources available to you at Brandeis, please email isso@brandeis.edu or your ISSO advisor directly.
We also love to have you visit the ISSO, so please stop by G-Zang to say hello, and make use of our comfortable lounge space, the Global Hideaway.
Yours sincerely,
The ISSO Team
Adrea, Daniela, Ian, Jodi, Rachel