Featured | International Student & Scholar Services

Federal Court Vacates USCIS Adjudication Holds and Related Policies for Travel Ban Countries

Jillian Hautman — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:18:15 +0000

On June 5th, a federal judge vacated several USCIS policies affecting foreign nationals from countries and areas subject to the current travel ban. This includes the USCIS pause on adjudicating benefits requests such as OPT, STEM OPT, change of status, etc. from citizens of countries impacted by a travel ban. You can view the full decision . The ruling requires USCIS to resume adjudicating paused benefits requests.

This is a developing story, so things could change. There is currently no published timeline for when processing will resume, and USCIS may appeal this decision. If you have questions about how this ruling could impact your F or J status, please contact your ISSS advisor. ISSS will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Federal Court Vacates $100,000 H-1B Fee Requirement

Jillian Hautman — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:11:11 +0000

A federal district court in Massachusetts has invalidated the USCIS policy implementing the $100,000 H-1B fee established by a September 2025 presidential proclamation. The court found that the fee exceeded executive authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act, resulting in a nationwide vacatur of the policy.

As a result, USCIS should not currently require the $100,000 fee for approval of H-1B petitions. The court’s decision does not address whether employers who have already paid the fee will be eligible for refunds.

The ruling conflicts with a separate federal court decision issued in December 2025 that upheld the fee. The federal government is expected to appeal the Massachusetts decision and may seek a stay of the ruling while the appeal is pending. If a stay is granted, USCIS could resume collection of the fee during the litigation process.

At this time, employers filing H-1B petitions should not be subject to the $100,000 fee requirement. However, because further court action is expected, the situation may change quickly. OIS office will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

USCIS Issues New Policy Memorandum Regarding Adjustment of Status

Jillian Hautman — Wed, 27 May 2026 19:19:35 +0000

USCIS has issued a . The memo asserts that USCIS adjudication of adjustment of status applications is discretionary, and that the agency is not required to review all applications, reserving the ability to direct applicants to apply via consular processing. The memo does not provide specific guidance on how the agency will make that decision and does not list any immediate impact on pending adjustment applications. At this time, Vanderbilt can continue to file adjustment applications, and the criteria for filing have not changed. Please see the from Vanderbilt’s immigration counsel, Ogletree Deakins for more information.

Employee Immigration Services will continue monitoring USCIS guidance and any operational changes closely and will communicate updates as additional information becomes available.

Increase to USCIS Premium Processing Fees

Jillian Hautman — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:24:49 +0000

Effective March 1, 2026, all requests for USCIS’s Premium Processing Service must include the new fee. See.

The premium processing fee for Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker petitions requesting classifications such as E-3, H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN increased to $2,965.
The premium processing fee for Form I-140 immigrant petitions requesting classification in employment-based categories increased to $2,965.
The premium processing fee for certain Form I-539 and Form I-765 applications also increased to $2,075 and $1,780, respectively.

DOS Suspends Issuance of Immigrant Visas From 75 Countries

Jillian Hautman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:21:52 +0000

Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing issuance of immigrant visas for applicants who are nationals of certain countries. This pause applies only to immigrant visas for permanent residency processed through U.S. consulates and does not affect nonimmigrant visas, including B, F, J, or H categories. The Department of State will continue to schedule immigrant visa interviews, but no visas will be issued during this review period; dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a non-listed country are exempt.

More information: and .

Pause in Diversity Lottery Program

Jillian Hautman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:16:24 +0000

Diversity visa issuance and related adjustment approvals are temporarily paused while additional security reviews are conducted. The visa lottery provides a limited number of immigrant visas each year to those from countries with low U.S. immigration rates. No approvals will be issued during this pause. Find more information��.

Visa Bonds Expanded Impacting Families and Short-Term Academic Visits

Jillian Hautman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:15:53 +0000

The Department of State expanded the visa bond program for certain nationalities, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Nigeria, for B-1/B-2 visas only. While F/J students and scholars are not impacted, the policy may affect family visits and short-term academic travel. The additional requirements, including financial bonds, increase cost and complexity.

USCIS Announces Creation of Centralized Vetting Center

Jillian Hautman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:15:10 +0000

On Dec. 5th, USCIS announced a new Vetting Center to centralize and enhance screening of immigration applications, including expanded background checks and interagency review. This may add scrutiny and longer processing times for immigration benefits. The change follows broader shifts in USCIS adjudication practices, including the elimination of the USCIS Ombudsman’s case-assistance role.

DHS Finalizes H-1B ‘Weighted Selection Rule’ Without Changes

Jillian Hautman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:14:08 +0000

DHS issued a final rule replacing the random H-1B cap lottery with a weighted, wage-based selection process, as proposed. Higher-wage registrations will receive greater selection weight, which may reduce selection chances for recent graduates and entry-level professionals at cap-subject employers. Find VU’s comment ��Ի� more info .

Additional USCIS Review For Applications Filed By Those From Countries Subject To Travel Ban

Jillian Hautman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:13:02 +0000

A new USCIS policy memo allows additional review and potential holds on certain pending immigration applications from countries subject to the travel ban. For affected students and scholars, this may result in longer processing times or additional vetting for changes of status and work authorization. ISSS is monitoring implementation and will share updates.