Compliance Management

IssueNet Quarterly Summary - Second Quarter 2026

April, May, June, 2026 Highlighting the top issues reported through NAFSA IssueNet. Prepared by Janica Cimo of University of Delaware and Katie Ahlman of University of Massachusetts. Top Issues USCIS Issue One: USCIS Premium Processing Delays for OPT/STEM OPT Multiple reports indicate that OPT, STEM

NAFSA Town Hall: Elimination of Duration of Status - Implications and Actions

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published its final rule to end the Duration of Status (D/S) policy for F students and J exchange visitors and to impose new academic mobility restrictions on F-1 students. The rule takes effect on September 15, 2026. In this NAFSA Town Hall

Regulatory Perspectives: Final Rule Eliminating D/S and Imposing Academic Mobility Restrictions

On July 23, 2026, the NAFSA community came together for a discussion, led by NAFSA staff, of the final rule to eliminate “D/S” (duration of status) for F and J nonimmigrants and to impose new academic mobility restrictions on F-1 students. We compared the final rule to the proposed rule, highlighted

Strategic Partnerships in Scholar Advising: Leveraging Outside Legal Expertise

Examine how scholar advisors and outside immigration counsel collaborate to support international scholars and manage complex immigration cases. The discussion included cultivating effective working relationships, navigating the decision-making in complex cases, and how scholar advisors and outside

Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Determination Rulemaking

Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Determination Rulemaking On March 27, 2026 the Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register which seeks to revise the prevailing wage computation methodology DOL relies upon in its

Collegial Conversation: Government Sessions Key Takeaways from the 2026 NAFSA Annual Conference

This webinar features NAFSA’s Current Issues Working Group and Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services (KC ISSS) in a conversation about the Current Issues Sessions at the 2026 Annual Conference in Orlando. Presenters highlighted key takeaways from each session and

Funding in Education Abroad "Summer School": Perspectives Across the Field

Join the NAFSA Funding in Education Abroad EAKC Subcommittee for a three-part summer webinar series designed to support international education professionals across a range of experience levels. Led by dedicated volunteer leaders, this series offers practical guidance, diverse perspectives, and

Court Vacates Several USCIS Benefits Adjudication Policies

In a June 5, 2026 memorandum and order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, USCIS's "Benefits Hold Policy, the Global Asylum Hold Policy, the Comprehensive Re-Review Policy, and the Country-Specific Factors Policy - are declared unlawful and are vacated and set aside."

DOS Realigns Visa Processing at Many African Posts Into Regional Hubs

DOS Realigns Visa Processing at Many African Posts Into Regional Hubs On July 15, 2026 the Department of State (DOS) announced that effective August 1, 2026 it is "realigning visa operations" at 25 posts in Africa into "regional hubs" that will process visa applications instead of the individual

Redline Version of Proposed Changes to 8 CFR 214.2(j)

Red-line version of proposed changes to 8 CFR 214.2(j), using proposed rule language. Compiled by NAFSA on May 7, 2026, as a visualizing tool. Key: Proposed deletions use the strike-through style Proposed new or revised language uses the underline style Text that is not styled with strike-through or