Immigration Updates

On April 9, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin screening the social media activity of applicants for immigration benefits to identify any signs of antisemitism. This new measure allows DHS to deny requests for immigration benefits, such as visas or permanent residency, based on the presence of antisemitic content or behavior on applicants’ social media profiles. The policy is part of broader efforts to assess security risks and ensure the safety of U.S. communities.

On April 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced an agency action titled Defending America’s Security through Visa and Travel Restrictions on South Sudan. This action includes the revocation of all currently held U.S. visas by South Sudanese passport holders and the suspension of any further visa issuance to individuals holding South Sudanese passports. The move effectively prevents entry into the United States by South Sudanese nationals, marking a significant escalation in travel and immigration restrictions targeting the country.

On April 2, 2025 universities began reporting International Student Visas Revoked. These terminations were carried out by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) without official notification to university officials or clear explanations from immigration authorities.

On March 27, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. Department of State had revoked the visas of more than 300 international students. These visa revocations reportedly targeted students who participated in political activism and those currently in the United States who have been identified to have criminal charges.

An INA 212(f) “travel ban” is expected soon, according to media and other sources. Media reports have identified some countries that may be subject to a ban, but there have been no official or public government communications on what countries might be included or the scope of any bans on particular countries.

On March 25, 2025, Representative Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S (AZ-09) introduced H.R. 2315, Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act, a bill aimed at amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Program for international students.

In his remarks, Representative Gosar argued that OPT was never formally authorized by Congress and criticized the program for allegedly circumventing the H-1B visa cap. He claimed that OPT “incentivizes greedy businesses to fire Americans and replace them with inexpensive foreign labor and abandons young Americans.”

Optional Practical Training (OPT)  is temporary employment authorization from USCIS for eligible international students. As a key part of the U.S. international education system, OPT helps attract and retain students by offering practical experience in their field of study, bridging academics with professional development, and supporting the global competitiveness of the U.S. workforce.

On March 12, 2025, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an Interim Final Regulation (IFR) Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration, to comply with statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions. The IFR goes into effect on April 11, 2025.

Executive Order 13166, Designating English as the Official Language of the United States, issued on March 1, 2025, declares English as the official language of the United States, encouraging its learning and adoption as a unifying force for new citizens striving to achieve the American dream. While it promotes English as the national language, it also stipulates that federal agencies are not required to stop providing documents, products, or services in languages other than English.

The Department of State’s, Interview Waiver Update, issued on February 18, 2025 modifies the eligibility requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking an in-person interview waiver. Under the new policy, applicants who are renewing a visa in the same category must have had their most recent visa expire within 12 months, down from the previous 48 months.

Executive Order 14161, Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats, issued on January 20, 2025 strengthens immigration screening and vetting to prevent individuals who pose security threats—such as those who intend to commit terrorist attacks, those who espouse hateful ideologies, or those seeking to exploit immigration laws—from entering or remaining in the United States. It establishes stricter, standardized vetting procedures, requires more comprehensive information for visa decisions, and identifies countries with insufficient security data, which may result in travel bans or restrictions.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive, Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas,  issued on January 20, 2025, rescinds a long-standing policy that identified schools, hospitals, and churches as “sensitive locations” and limited them from immigration enforcement actions.

Adelphi’s Policy on Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions has been updated. Immigration Enforcement Protocols have been updated and available to the campus community.

Executive Order 14159, Protecting The American People Against Invasion, issued on January 20, 2025, requires the attorney general and the secretary of homeland security to review contracts, grants, and agreements between the federal government and “non-governmental organizations supporting or providing services, either directly or indirectly, to removable or illegal aliens.” This directive limits the use of humanitarian parole, designations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), employment authorization, and could impact institutions that enroll undocumented students.

Executive Order 14188, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, issued on January 29, 2025, directs measures to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence.

Key actions include:

• Requesting an inventory of all Title VI complaints and administrative actions related to anti-Semitism.
• Instructing agencies to educate higher education institutions on the grounds for inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
• Emphasizing that individuals engaged in terrorist activities or supporting such organizations are inadmissible under INA § 212(a)(3)(B).
• Requiring higher education institutions to monitor and report activities by international students and staff that could lead to inadmissibility.

The White House released a fact sheet, President Donald J. Trump Takes Forceful and Unprecedented Steps to Combat Anti-Semitism. January 20, 2025. Emphasizes the Department of Justice’s commitment to take “immediate action” to “quell pro‐Hamas vandalism and intimidation,” to “aggressively prosecute terroristic threats,” and to deport “Hamas sympathizers” and revoke student visas.

Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. February 3, 2025. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the formation of a task force prioritizing rooting out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.

Visits to 10 College Campuses that Experienced Incidents of Antisemitism. February 28, 2025. Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announcement.

The Laken Riley Act is a United States Law [Public Law No: 119-1], signed by President Trump on January 29, 2025, that requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain noncitizens who are arrested, charged with, or convicted of certain offenses. This law also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.

Potential Impact to College Campuses

• Individuals on H-1B visas may be unable to continue working while detained, causing visa ineligibility or forced departure from the United States.

• Student visa holders could face removal proceedings before proving their innocence, which could significantly disrupt their education and future prospects.

• This law may indirectly affect international students and professionals, with stricter visa issuance policies, especially those from countries with strained diplomatic relations with the U.S.

Executive Order 14160, Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship, issued on January 20, 2025, concludes that citizenship no longer extends to all persons born in the United States, to include: (1) when that person’s mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the person’s father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth, or (2) when that person’s mother’s presence in the United States was lawful but temporary, and the person’s father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth. It further directs that no department or agency of the United States government shall issue documents recognizing United States citizenship, or accept documents issued by State, local, or other governments or authorities purporting to recognize United States citizenship for the categories identified in the order.

Executive Order 14165, Securing Our Borders, issued on January 20, 2025, directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to get “complete operational control of the borders of the United States’, through comprehensive actions such as increasing physical barriers, deploying additional personnel, and expanding detention and removal operations. It also terminates all categorical parole programs for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Potential Impact to College Campuses

Can create fear and uncertainty for students from immigrant families, leading to lower attendance, academic struggles, and mental health challenges.

Executive Order 14150, America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State, issued on January 20, 2025, directs the Department of State to align all policies and programs with an “America First” approach.

Potential Impact to Students

This could have implications for State Department-funded international exchange and study abroad programs.