ISRC Newsletter
A collection of our newsletters delivering timely updates, policy insights, and practical guidance on U.S. immigration for international students and scholars.
August 2026
This ISRC newsletter reports on a lawsuit filed by NAFSA and other organizations challenging the new "Loss of D/S" rule, along with related litigation over the $100,000 H-1B fee and USCIS processing for travel-ban-affected countries. It also covers new editions of Forms I-539 and I-765, a USCIS policy permitting denials without a Request for Evidence, a rule authorizing mandatory e-filing, and detailed guidance on how unlawful presence will accrue for F-1 and J-1 visa holders once the D/S rule takes effect on September 15.
July 2026
This ISRC newsletter reports on the finalization of the "Loss of D/S" rule, published in the Federal Register on July 17 with a September 15 effective date, and points readers to ISRC's summary, FAQ, and NAFSA's advocacy campaign urging Congress to protect Duration of Status. It also covers the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision allowing the Administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Syria, and what that ruling means for TPS holders studying or working at U.S. institutions.
June 2026
This ISRC newsletter examines a new USCIS policy memo discouraging in-country adjustment of status in favor of consular processing abroad, along with ongoing litigation over the $100,000 H-1B fee and the USCIS adjudication pause. It also covers the State Department's plan to consolidate consular operations across Africa into 20 regional hubs, continued scrutiny of the OPT program, and a new executive order affecting international students' ability to open U.S. bank accounts.
May 2026
This ISRC newsletter covers key legal and policy developments, including federal court rulings that found USCIS's nationality-based application pause unlawful and an update on the pending "Loss of D/S" rule as it advances toward publication in the Federal Register. It also notes new asylum-related questions added to visa interviews, an exemption for foreign physicians from the travel ban, and upcoming ISRC sessions at the NAFSA Annual Conference.
April 2026
This ISRC newsletter provides timely updates on immigration policy and visa processing as students prepare for the summer visa season, including USCIS's lifting of some benefit-application holds and a proposed Department of Labor rule that would raise H-1B prevailing wage requirements. It also highlights new ISRC resources on the J-1 exchange visitor program and the pending "Loss of D/S" rule, along with the ISRC's new membership in the U.S. for Success Coalition.
March 2026
This ISRC newsletter provides timely updates on rapidly evolving immigration policies, with a particular focus on recent changes to the H-1B system and broader shifts affecting international students. It highlights key developments such as the transition to a wage-based lottery, potential increases in prevailing wages, and increased scrutiny across visa categories.
February 2026
This ISRC newsletter focuses on evolving immigration policies and practical guidance for international students navigating the H-1B process and related visa pathways. It outlines key considerations around OPT, employer sponsorship, and planning strategies in a more competitive and uncertain environment.
January 2026
This ISRC newsletter highlights major immigration policy developments shaping the start of 2026, including proposed changes to Duration of Status (D/S) and reforms to the H-1B visa system. It provides essential context on how these shifts may impact student status, work authorization, and long-term planning.