On December 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy memorandum directing additional review of certain immigration benefit applications. It is unclear whether this policy affects F-1 and J-1 students, but we are sharing the information so students are aware.
USCIS has directed officers to hold some pending immigration benefit applications, possibly including OPT, STEM OPT, and change of status. This review applies to applicants whose country of birth or citizenship appears on a list in Presidential Proclamation 10949. These countries include: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The memo also directs USCIS to re-review already approved benefit applications for individuals from these countries who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021. As part of this process, USCIS may require additional screening, including interviews or re-interviews.
USCIS has not provided guidance on implementation, duration of holds, or potential impacts for F-1 or J-1 students. We understand this uncertainty may be concerning, and we are closely monitoring for updates. ISS will share information as it becomes available.
If you have a pending application and are concerned about how this may affect you, we encourage you to consult with International Student Services or an immigration attorney for guidance.