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Immigration News and Updates

Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High-Risk Countries

December 2025

On December 2, 2025, USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum,  Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High-Risk Countries.

Effective immediately, the memorandum directs U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to:

  • Place a hold on all Forms I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal), regardless of the alien’s country of nationality
  • Place a hold on pending benefit requests  (such as OPT/STEM OPT and change of status applications) for aliens whose country of birth or country of citizenship is included in Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10949(link is external), Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, pending a comprehensive review. Those countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
  • Conduct a comprehensive re-review of approved benefit requests for aliens from countries listed in PP 10949 who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021 including but not limited to OPT/STEM OPT (for F-1 students) and change of status applications.

This memorandum mandates that all aliens meeting these criteria will undergo a thorough re-review process, including a potential interview and, if necessary, a re-interview.  These steps could potentially impact applicants who have pending or approved OPT/STEM OPT and change of status applications, or other USCIS benefit requests. 

Land Border Crossing Form I-94 Fee

September 2025

This advisory applies to individuals who are entering the U.S. by crossing a land border.  Effective September 30, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) introduced an additional $24 fee to the existing $6 fee for the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure applications at the land border ports of entry, bringing the total cost of a Form I-94 to $30. Further details are provided in the Federal Register Notice. 

To enter the U.S in F or J student status, you can either: 

  • Physically walk into the CBP building at the port of entry, present yourself and your documents (Passport and F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 DS-2019) to a CBP officer, and pay the $30 fee to receive your Form I-94 

OR

Find further details on the CBP website.

This fee only applies only to land crossings and will not apply when entering the U.S. by air. Please keep this new fee in mind, especially when planning travel to Canada or Mexico. 

Visa Appointments Must be Scheduled in Home Country of Residence or Nationality

September 2025

On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that, effective immediately, applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas, including F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 visas, must schedule their visa interview appointments at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.  

If you are from a country where the U.S. is not currently conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations, you must apply at a designated alternate location, unless you reside elsewhere. A full list of designated locations is available on the U.S. Department of State website.

When applying for a visa, consider the following: 

  • Residence Requirement: You must be able to demonstrate that you reside in the country where you are applying for a visa if you are not a citizen of that country.
  • Existing Appointments: If you already have a visa appointment scheduled, you should be able to keep your appointment. However, you should confirm with the consulate/embassy where your interview is scheduled.

CISS does not advise traveling for the sole purpose of renewing your visa. You may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa if you have a valid Form I-20/DS-2019 and are maintaining your nonimmigrant status.

Read the Department of State announcement here and email CISS at GS_CISS@bentlry.edu with any questions about this new policy. 

Immigration Advisory

May 2025

Know Your Rights

As an international student, you have rights in the United States. Make sure you know what they are. 

CISS recommends that you carry a printed copy of your Form I-94 with you at all times in case you are asked about your immigration status. 

Travel Outside of the U.S.

The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) cannot guarantee entry or re-entry to the United States.  Consider postponing international travel if the following applies to you:

  • You have a pending USCIS application
  • Your country of citizenship has a travel ban
  • You have an arrest record or a violation of your U.S. immigration status
  • You have participated in online or public activism regarding the U.S. political climate
  • There are current/political events in your home country that could impact your ability to travel

If you do decide to travel outside of the U.S., have the following documents with you:

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
  • Valid F-1/J-1 visa
  • Most recent Form I-20/DS-2019 (with a valid travel signature)

Consult the Travel section of our website for more detailed travel information.