Important Update: On January 1, 2026, USCIS confirmed that the additional scrutiny of Immigration Benefits for Individuals from the “High Risk Countries” will apply to the individuals from the countries that were subject to the expanded travel ban as of January 1, 2026. As such, the details below have been updated to include all impacted countries.
Updated January 6, 2026:
USCIS Policy Alert: Additional Scrutiny of Immigration Benefits for Individuals - from the “High Risk Countries” Listed in Presidential Proclamation “PP” 10949
On December 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum placing a processing hold on pending and approved immigration benefits for individuals from the countries named in the June 2025 Presidential Travel Ban (PP10949).
On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued another Policy Memorandum expanding the scope of their processing hold on pending and approved immigration benefits to all countries named in the December 2025 Presidential Travel Ban (PP10949).
Among other things, the memo directs USCIS to:
- Pause all pending immigration benefits for individuals who were born in or are a citizen of one of the travel ban countries.
- Re-review already approved immigration benefits for individuals from these countries who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.
The countries on the newly expanded travel ban list are:
Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In addition, foreign nationals who seek to travel to the United States using Palestinian Authority-issued or -endorsed travel documents are subject to the travel ban and to any travel ban-related USCIS policies.
This hold is expected to affect all USCIS-adjudicated immigration benefits, including but not limited to reinstatement, OPT, STEM OPT, change of status (e.g. F-1, J-1, H-1B petitions with cap-gap), and adjustment of status.
What You Should Do
If you plan to apply for OPT, STEM OPT, a change of status, or another USCIS-adjudicated benefit, we strongly recommend that you:
- File USCIS applications on time to avoid losing eligibility
- Prepare applications carefully, following all USCIS instructions
- Answer every question honestly and consistently
- Monitor your case through your USCIS online account
Because implementation is still evolving, timelines and outcomes may vary significantly. Students and alumni should be prepared for additional vetting and adjudication delays of immigration benefits.
More Information
OGS will share updates as new information becomes available. If you have concerns about how this policy alert may affect your specific situation, please contact OGS for guidance. You may also wish to consult a personal immigration attorney.
August 19, 2025: USCIS Considers “Anti-American” Activity when Adjudicating Applications
When adjudicating certain immigration benefit requests, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers will now consider whether an applicant has:
“...endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused anti-American views or the views of a terrorist organization or group (including in social media content by, or involving an alien). This includes organizations who support or promote anti-American ideologies or activities, antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, antisemitic ideologies, or has engaged in physical harassment of any person in furtherance of the organization or group...”
This may impact individuals submitting a variety of application to USCIS, including:
- Applications for F-1 reinstatement;
- Most applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), including F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), F-1 STEM OPT, H-4 EADs, and adjustment of status EADs;
- Applications for extensions or changes of status;
- Applications for a National Interest Waiver; and
- Applications for adjustment of status.
To review the updated Policy Guidance from USCIS, click here.
If you have questions about how this may impact your F-1/J-1 status, please contact the Office of Global Services.
April 11, 2025: USCIS Policy Changes of "Antisemitic Activity"
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.