Immigration Policy Updates

This page provides updates and resources on recent executive orders, policies, and legislation that may affect international students, scholars, and employees. While we try to ensure our information is timely and accurate, new updates can come unexpectedly. For official updates, refer to verified government websites or visit NAFSA's Executive and Regulatory Actions webpage for information and federal actions impacting the international community. NAFSA is a U.S.-based professional organization that advocates for and supports international education.

Travel Ban Likely Soon – pending federal issuance

The U.S. government is slated to introduce a travel ban preventing travelers from certain countries from entering the U.S., even if they have valid visas, unless exceptions apply. There is no confirmed list of affected countries or official guidelines yet. While an announcement is expected soon, no date has been set. Until then, ISSO advises caution when traveling outside the U.S. If a travel ban goes into effect for a specific country listed in the travel ban while a foreign national is in that country, returning to the U.S. for work or study may not be possible if exceptions are not allowable.

Additional Information and Resources:

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Registration, Carrying Proof of Registration and Reporting Changes of Address Requirements- March 12, 2025

(Related to Executive Order: Protecting The American People Against Invasion – January 20, 2025)

On March 12, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an Interim Final Rule that will take effect on April 11, 2025. This rule requires certain nonimmigrants to register (or re-register), be fingerprinted and carry evidence of registration in their personal possession at all times. Noncitizens must also report any change of address within 10 days of the address change.

Foreign nationals who are 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting. Parents and legal guardians of children below the age of 14 must ensure that their dependents are registered. Within 30 days of reaching their 14th birthday, all previously registered foreign nationals must apply for re-registration and also be fingerprinted.

USCIS has provided additional information, including instructions, at this website: USCIS Alien Registration Requirement. If you have questions about whether this requirement applies to you or your children or how to complete the form, you should consider consulting an attorney. 

Additional Information and Resources:

Protest Activities – March 2025

(Related to Executive Order: Additional Measures to Combat Antisemitism – January 29, 2025)

The Executive Order and Fact Sheet outline processes for universities to monitor and report activities by international students and staff for activities that may be related to antisemitism, including protests. In accordance with applicable laws, these reports may, prompt investigations and, if appropriate, lead to further actions—potentially including removal proceedings.

Based on the Executive Order, the U.S. government has canceled visas of individuals who participated in protest activities related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The process of identifying individuals who participated may include checking social media accounts.

Additional Information and Resources:

Gender-Related Policy Changes – April 2, 2025

(Related to Executive Order: Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government – January 20, 2025, The White House)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that USCIS will only recognize two biological sexes, male or female, for purposes of reviewing benefit requests and USCIS-issued documents.

Per the Executive Order, federal departments are mandated to recognize gender strictly as a male-female binary determined by biological sex assigned at conception. It requires the replacement of all instances of "gender" with "sex" in official materials, cessation of funding for gender-affirming care, and prohibits transgender individuals from using single-sex federally funded facilities that align with their gender identity.

Additional Information and Resources:

Revised Visa Interview Waiver Policy – Feb 18, 2025

On February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State revised its visa interview waiver policy.

The revised policy reinstates the requirement for in-person interviews for:

  1. Nonimmigrant visa renewals in the same visa classification if more than 12 months have passed since the prior visa expired
  2. First-time nonimmigrant visa applicants who previously held a visa within the past 48 months

Consular officers continue to retain the authority to mandate interviews on a case-by-case basis or due to local conditions.

The revised policy may see an increase in visa application appointment wait times.

Additional Information and Resources:

Bill: Laken Riley Act – January 29, 2025

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain non-U.S. nationals who have been arrested for burglary, theft, assaulting a law enforcement officer, larceny, shoplifting and any crime that causes death or serious bodily injury without the opportunity to request for release while their case is pending. The bill also allows states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures in relation to immigration enforcement.

Additional Information and Resources:

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Rescinds “Protected Areas” Enforcement Policy – January 21, 2025

On January 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded a 2021 guidance memo that required DHS officers and agents to seek headquarters approval before taking enforcement action in sensitive areas like schools and colleges, hospitals, or churches. The rescission of the 2021 policy memo means that there are no longer any specific protected areas like schools, hospitals or churches under DHS enforcement policy.

Additional Information and Resources:

Executive Order: Protecting the U.S. from Foreign Terrorist and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats – January 20, 2025

This order directs U.S. federal agencies to strengthen immigration screening and vetting processes to prevent the entry of individuals who may pose threats to national security, public safety, or counterterrorism efforts. It includes identifying high-risk countries for possible entry restrictions, enhancing refugee screening protocols, and assessing visa programs for potential security vulnerabilities. Additionally, it calls for stricter oversight of non-U.S. nationals currently residing in the United States.

Additional Information and Resources:

Executive Order: Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship – January 20, 2025

This executive order tells federal agencies to not recognize birthright citizenship of any individual born after 30 days from when the executive order was signed for certain individuals born within the U.S. Current status (from NAFSA): Arguing that it violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, numerous states and parties filed lawsuits to halt the executive order.

Additional Information and Resources: