The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a policy change that may impact international students, scholars, and other noncitizens applying for U.S. immigration benefits.

Effective immediately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will consider involvement in "antisemitic activity"—including social media content that supports or promotes antisemitic terrorism or organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or the Houthis—as a negative factor in immigration benefit requests.

This policy may affect F-1 students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, Economic Hardship, Special Student Relief, etc., and other F/J individuals applying for immigration benefits via USCIS. We encourage members of the Northeastern international student and scholar community to review the full announcement here:

DHS Announcement – April 11, 2025

If you have questions about how this may impact your immigration status, please contact the Office of Global Services.