Responding to Federal Policies

• H-1B Presidential Action Update (October 10, 2025) The Office of International Student and Scholar Services informs community of what we know and don't know related to a September Presidential Proclamation regarding H-1B visas.
• Continued support for vital research (September 30, 2025)
  The Board of Trustees has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining critical research at least through the end of the calendar year.
• Update on H-1B FAQ released (September 22, 2025)
  The Office of International Student and Scholar Services shared an FAQ on the new presidential proclamation regarding the H-1B visa program.

• Update on new presidential action on H-1B visas (September 20, 2025)
  The Office of International Student and Scholar Services sent an update on new rules governing the H-1B visa program.
• Guidance regarding new presidential action on H-1B visas (September 19, 2025)
  The Office of International Student and Scholar Services sent notification of new rules governing the H-1B visa program.

For previous messages, visit Leadership Notes or the Office of the Provost news page.

Updates from October 7 through October 13, 2025

University Messages

• Oct. 10 H-1B Presidential Action Update. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services informs community of what we know and don't know related to a September Presidential Proclamation regarding H-1B visas.

Updates from September 30 to October 6, 2025 

University Messages

• Sept. 30 Continued support for vital research 
  The Board of Trustees has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining critical research at least through the end of the calendar year.

Travel and Immigration

• Northwestern has updated the language in the section, "If You Are Approached by a Federal Immigration Officer."

Updates from September 23 to September 29, 2025 

No new updates

Updates from September 16 to September 22, 2025 

University Messages

• Sept. 22 Update on H-1B FAQ released The Office of International Student and Scholar Services shared an FAQ on the new presidential proclamation regarding the H-1B visa program.

• Sept. 20 Update on new presidential action on H-1B visas 
  The Office of International Student and Scholar Services sent an update on new rules governing the H-1B visa program.
• Sept. 19 Guidance regarding new presidential action on H-1B visas
  The Office of International Student and Scholar Services sent notification of new rules governing the H-1B visa program.

Travel and Immigration

• Sept. 19 Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
  • Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Suspends the Entry of Certain Alien Nonimmigrant Workers
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memo: Proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, H-1B
  • Accompanying H-1B FAQ

Updates from September 9 to September 15, 2025 

No new updates

Updates from September 2 to September 8, 2025 

Travel and Immigration

• Sept. 8 Department of Homeland Security Press Release: ICE Launches Operation Midway Blitz in Honor of Katie Abraham to Target Criminal Illegal Aliens Terrorizing Americans in Sanctuary Illinois

Research

• Sept. 5 Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Fox in the Henhouse investigation

Antisemitism

• Sept. 4 House Committee on Education and Workforce transcribed interview with President Michael Schill

Updates from August 26 to September 1, 2025 

No new updates

Updates from August 19 to August 25, 2025 

Research 

• NIH, NSF announce plans to implement gold standard science across agency activities

Updates from August 12 to August 18, 2025 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Presidential Action: Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
  • Accompanying Fact Sheet
  • Department of Education follow-up memo

Updates from August 5 to August 11, 2025 

Research

• Aug. 7 Executive Order: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Aug. 7 Presidential Action: Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
  • Accompanying Fact Sheet

Updates from July 29 to August 4, 2025 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• July 29 Department of Justice Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination

Updates from July 22 to July 28, 2025 

Athletics

• July 24 Executive Order: Saving College Sports

Updates from July 15 to July 21, 2025 

No new updates

Updates from July 8 to July 14, 2025 

No new updates

Updates from July 1 to July 7, 2025 

No new updates

Updates from June 24 to June 30, 2025 

No new updates

Updates from June 17 to June 23, 2025 

University Messages  

• The Office of International Student and Scholar Services sent updates to members of Northwestern’s international community regarding visa application interviews

Travel and Immigration 

• June 18 U.S. Department of State Press Release: Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants 

Updates from June 10 to June 16, 2025 

Research  

• June 16 Research guidance webpage updated.  
  • Added bullet point to Proposals section to indicate that federal sponsors continue to accept proposals submitted by Northwestern. 
  • Added new Awards section. 

Updates from June 3 to June 9, 2025 

University Messages 

• June 5 Northwestern provided uupdates on new immigration restrictions to international students and scholars. 
• June 5 New interim guidance on NIH subawards says Northwestern will no longer support outgoing subaward activity on NIH awards while we are not receiving reimbursements from the NIH.  

Travel and Immigration 

• June 4 Presidential Proclamation: “Restriction the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”
  • Accompanying Fact Sheet 

Updates from May 27 to June 2, 2025 

University Messages 

• May 29 Update on student visa issues. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services sent updates toincoming international students and current international students. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

• Anti-discrimination guidance published for Northwestern programming and activities.

Travel and Immigration 

• May 28 Secretary of State statement on visas of Chinese students.

Updates from May 20 to May 26, 2025

No new updates

Updates from May 13 to May 19, 2025

Antisemitism

• Health and Human Services Civil Rights Office announces investigation into alleged civil rights violations

Updates from May 6 to May 12, 2025

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• May 6 Health and Human Services Dear Colleague Letter clarifying interpretation of requirements under Title VI and commenting on medical school operations

Updates from April 29 to May 5, 2025

University Messages 

• May 1 University leadership update on Northwestern’s response to federal measures
• May 1 University leadership message to faculty and research staff on supporting research during federal funding uncertainty  

Research 

• University published interim guidance on support for research

Travel and Immigration

• University published new resources and guidance

Antisemitism

• April 28 letter from House Committee on Education and Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg 

Accreditation

• On April 28-29, University hosted on-site visit by a team of Higher Learning Commission peer reviewers

Updates from April 22 to April 28, 2025

University Messages

• President Schill joined hundreds of college and university presidents and chancellors in signing A Call for Constructive Engagement

Travel and Immigration

• April 23 Executive Order: Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence in American Universities

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• April 23 Executive Order: Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy
• April 23 Executive Order: Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies

Accreditation

• April 23 Executive Order: Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education