Dear Andrew,
At long last, today, the Department of Homeland Security officially published its final rule ending the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) policy for international students and exchange visitors. The rule will take effect 60 days after the official publication in the Federal Register, which will be September 15. As anticipated, it also imposes new limits on academic flow and educational mobility. NAFSA has completed an initial analysis and released a press statement in which NAFSA executive director and CEO called it a “misguided and unnecessary policy shift that injects uncertainty, bureaucracy, and fear into a system that has long worked effectively.” We will update our web resources with additional information once our in-depth review has been completed.
Together with the U.S. for Success Coalition, we have launched an advocacy campaign directing Congress to take action to defend D/S. See below to add your voice!
In the good news department, the amendment to the State Department funding bill offered by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO-04) that would eliminate funding entirely for the Fulbright program was defeated. The House of Representatives rejected the amendment by a vote of 79-348 (you can see here how your Representative voted)! Thanks to advocates like you for demonstrating the strong community of support for this time-honored program! The House went on to pass the Fiscal Year 2027 State Department funding bill (H.R. 8595) later the same day, funding education and cultural exchange programs at $647 million, three percent below the current funding level. The bill next goes to the Senate for consideration.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Thank you for taking action!
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
