Immigration Law and Legal Insights

Recent Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) communications have not formally changed the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) regulation, but they are prompting universities to reexamine how they authorize curricular practical training for F-1 students.

A federal court’s injunction over the DHS fixed-period admission rule nationwide means the existing duration-of-status (D/S) framework for F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors will remain in place while litigation continues.

A federal court in Massachusetts has postponed the Department of Homeland Security rule that would have ended 'duration of status' admissions for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, originally scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026. This preliminary injunction affects students, exchange visitors, foreign media representatives, and their sponsoring institutions, though the postponement is not a final invalidation of the rule and litigation continues.

Recent Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) communications have not formally changed the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) regulation, but they are prompting universities to reexamine how they authorize curricular practical training for F-1 students.

The U.S. Department of State has temporarily paused immigrant visa interviews worldwide to conduct training programs for consular officers on public charge assessments. This development affects scheduling at U.S. embassies and consulates globally, though it does not mean all immigrant visa applications have been canceled or permanently suspended.

A federal court’s injunction over the DHS fixed-period admission rule nationwide means the existing duration-of-status (D/S) framework for F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors will remain in place while litigation continues.

Foreign nationals from treaty countries seeking to launch, buy, or actively run a U.S. business can explore the E-2 Treaty Investor visa, a flexible nonimmigrant option requiring substantial investment and active management. This comprehensive guide examines eligibility requirements, compares E-2 to EB-5 pathways, and outlines the application process from initial planning through visa issuance.

Over the past two weeks, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has transferred a large volume of pending EB-5-based Form I-485 adjustment of status applications from the California Service Center (CSC) to the Texas Service Center (TSC). Immediately following transfer, some applicants are receiving Requests for Evidence (RFEs) seeking Form I-693 medical examinations and providing 30 days to respond.

The September 2026 Visa Bulletin reveals critical changes for EB-5 investors, particularly those from India, as unreserved visa numbers become unavailable for the remainder of FY2026. While set-aside categories remain current across all countries, the bulletin warns of potential further retrogression and highlights the importance of understanding how country of chargeability and investment category selection impact visa availability and processing timelines.