On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule that establishes a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure that impact students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas, and other academic restrictions specifically for F-1 students. The rule is anticipated to take effect Sept. 15, 2026 and will affect members of the international community in different ways. As OISS gathers more information and communicates specific guidance to individuals and groups, we ask that members of the international community refer to the DHS Rule on Admission and Extension webpage as an up-to-date resource. Members of the Northwestern international community who have questions are encouraged to reach out directly to their assigned OISS advisor.
Northwestern Joins Amicus Brief to Fight New ICE Guidance
Dear members of the Northwestern community,
I am horrified by the federal guidelines issued this week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which threaten to revoke the visa status of international students who take all-remote classes this fall.
As Northwestern has been taking steps toward a safe, phased return to campus for the Fall Quarter, we have already been planning to institute a hybrid model of remote and in-person courses. I therefore expect that our international student community will be largely unaffected by these capricious and indefensible directives.
Whether or not our students are impacted directly, we will work tirelessly with our academic peers to ensure no students anywhere are affected.
We have joined an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit filed this morning by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that seeks to keep the new directives from going into effect.
Northwestern’s overriding priority, since the beginning of this global health emergency, has been to ensure the safety of all our students and enable them to remain on course toward completion of their degrees.
I want every one of our international students to know that your University community stands beside you in this painful moment. You are not alone. We will support you in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Morton Schapiro
President and Professor