Latest Updates
- Suit Challenging Elimination of Duration of Status Rule Filed in Federal Court. On August 18, 2026 NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Graduate Labor Organization, AFT Local 6516 (GLO), International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), United Auto Workers Local 2322, and the NewsGuild-CWA filed a complaint and a motion for preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final rule ending the Duration of Status (D/S) framework for international students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign media. See NAFSA's and the Presidents' Alliance joint press release and NAFSA's litigation update page.
- Tell NAFSA About Your Institution-Specific and Program-Specific D/S Issues. July 23, 2026. As we continue developing resources and planning events on the final D/S rule, NAFSA needs to hear from you about program-specific and institution type-specific issues. These might include, for example, community college-specific issues, health care institution-specific issues, STEM focused institution-specific issues, intensive English program-specific issues, allied health program-specific issues, and pathway programs-specific issues, among others. In short, we are looking for issues that you think may have been or may be overlooked in the discussion of how the final rule applies broadly to most institutions and programs. We want to ensure that no interest within the NAFSA community is overlooked. Please submit these issues to IssueNet "Report an ISS Issue" so we can gather, organize, and try to respond to them. And please help us by describing precisely the issues of concern.
- DHS Final Rule Eliminating Duration of Status for F and J Nonimmigrants Becomes Effective September 15, 2026. On July 17, 2026 DHS published its final rule to end "duration of status" (D/S) for F, J, and I nonimmigrants in favor of a fixed admission period. The rule will become effective on September 15, 2026. Until then, the current regulations will continue to fully govern all aspects of F and J practice. Consult NAFSA's page for links and analysis of the final rule, which we will update as insight and understanding progress.
- Agencies Publish 2026 Regulatory Agenda. The 2026 regulatory agenda was posted on Reginfo.gov in July, 2026. Among other items, F-1 practical training is still on the agenda, as well as several employment-based packages relating to prevailing wages, PERM, and H-1B reform. See NAFSA's page.
NAFSA Statements and Commentary
NAFSA and Presidents' Alliance Lead a Lawsuit Challenging the End of D/S
The complaint argues that DHS failed to adequately assess its costs and benefits, meaningfully respond to public comments, consider less burdensome alternatives, or justify the rule based on its stated objectives.
Fall 2026 International Enrollment Outlook & Economic Impact
Preliminary analysis by NAFSA and JB International indicates a projected decline in international student enrollment for Fall 2026, with cascading negative effects on U.S. economic contribution and jobs supported.
NAFSA Responds to DHS' Final Rule Ending Duration of Status
Ending Duration of Status and imposing new limits on academic flow and educational mobility on international students and exchange visitors 'misguided and unnecessary', according to NAFSA executive director and CEO, Fanta Aw.
Related Resources
2026 Policy Digest
A chronological compilation of U.S. government policy and regulatory developments and related advocacy activities, updated on a monthly basis.
Connecting Our World
Connecting Our World is NAFSA's weekly newsletter that distills the top policy and regulatory developments affecting international education and identifies how members of the field can use their voice to take action in simple but meaningful ways.
Helpful Resources
Helpful resources from NAFSA and others on initiatives under the Second Trump Administration