Latest Updates
- DOS Adds 7 More Countries to Visa Bond Pilot Program. On December 17, 2025 the Department of State (DOS) added Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan to the list of countries subject to the Visa Bond Pilot Program, effective January 1, 2026. See NAFSA's page.
- Proclamation of December 16, 2025 Expands U.S. Travel Ban Effective January 1, 2026. A presidential proclamation issued on December 16, 2025 modifies and expands the U.S. travel ban, updating the lists of countries subject to full and partial entry restrictions, effective January 1, 2026. See NAFSA's page.
- USCIS Says It Will No Longer Accept Self-Submitted Photos, and Limits Reuse of Photos. On December 12, 2025 USCIS announced that it has updated is policy on photographs used in connection with immigration benefit requests, by no longer accepting self-submitted photos and limiting the circumstances in which even USCIS-taken photos may be reused in benefit requests. See NAFSA's page.
- 20 States Challenge $100K H-1B Proclamation. On December 12, 2025 a group of 20 states filed suit in Massachusetts challenging implementation of Trump's $100K H-1B fee proclamation. See NAFSA's page.
- USCIS Announces Creation of Centralized Vetting Center. On December 5, 2025 USCIS "announced the establishment of a specialized unit to strengthen the ability of America’s immigration system to screen out terrorists, criminal aliens, and other foreign nationals who pose potential threats to public safety or who have committed fraud or other crimes. Once fully operationalized, the USCIS Vetting Center, headquartered in Atlanta, will centralize the enhanced vetting of aliens and allow the agency to respond more nimbly to changes in a shifting threat landscape." Read the USCIS announcement.
- Recent Changes Impacting Adjustment EADs. Two recent changes impact the interim work authorization employment authorization documents (EADs) that adjustment of status (adjustment) applicants are eligible for. First, effective October 30, 2025 a USCIS interim final rule ended the USCIS practice of automatically extending the validity of EADs for adjustment applicants who apply to renew their adjustment-based EAD. Second, starting December 5, 2025 adjustment of status EADs will be issued for a maximum period of 18 months, rather than for a maximum of five years. See NAFSA's page.
- USCIS Pauses Processing of Immigration Benefits for Nationals of Travel Ban Countries. A December 2, 2025 USCIS Policy Memorandum communicated that USCIS has placed "a hold... pending a comprehensive review... on pending benefit requests" submitted by applicants whose citizenship or country of birth are one of the 19 countries identified in Presidential Proclamation 10949 of June 4, 2025. See NAFSA's page.
Key Executive and Regulatory Actions
DHS Proposes Ending Duration of Status
Comments in response to the DHS/ICE proposed rule to end "duration of status" for F, J, and I nonimmigrants are due by September 29, 2025. NAFSA has prepared high-level guidance to assist institutions in submitting a comment letter, along with a non-technical "explainer" and an advocacy campaign to engage Congress.
Government Funding, Staffing, and Operations
The president's draft fiscal 2026 "skinny" budget proposes a 93 percent reduction in funding for State Department Educational and Cultural Exchanges, effectively dismantling the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and its programs. Urge Congress to defend and fund federal international education and exchange programs.
Vetting and Enforcement
The Department of State (DOS) announced that it finally issued the expected "new guidance" on social media vetting, and that consulates will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa appointments. It includes information on how consular officers should screen the social media and online presence of applicants applying for F, M, and J visas, and factors the consulates should consider as they resume scheduling student visa interviews
NAFSA Statements and Commentary
Expanded Travel Ban a Blow to U.S. Global Leadership
NAFSA issued a response to the December 16 travel ban by saying, in part: "Relying on travel bans to act as a shield rather than relying on the strength of U.S. vetting protocols is essentially a retreat from global engagement. Our isolationism will create a vacuum that other enterprising nations will gladly fill."
U.S. Economy Loses $1.1 Billion from Declining International Enrollment
An economic analysis of Fall 2025 international enrollment by NAFSA and JB International reveal that international students’ economic contributions to U.S. economies this fall dropped by $1.1 billion, costing the U.S. nearly 23,000 jobs.
NAFSA Responds to DHS Threats Against Harvard, OPT
"Revoking an institution’s ability to enroll international students and threatening to dismantle OPT are ill-conceived attacks on high-functioning systems and programs," said Fanta Aw, NAFSA CEO. "International students are not bargaining chips—they are scholars, researchers, and contributors to our communities whose presence strengthens U.S. higher education and society. We turn global talent away at our own expense."
Related Resources
2025 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