On December 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an updated policy memorandum pertaining to 19 “high-risk” countries, effective immediately. As a result, USCIS is:
- Placing a “hold” on all application types filed by foreign nationals who were born in, or are citizens of, the 19 “high-risk” countries already subject to travel restrictions (travel ban) under Presidential Proclamation 10949 (June 4, 2025); and
- Conducting a “comprehensive re-review of approved benefit requests for aliens (from the 19 high-risk countries) who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.” The phrase “benefit requests” refers to a broad set of requests such as applications for employment authorization, change of status, employment visa petitions, green card applications, and more.
We expect the policy will result in processing delays for students and scholars from these countries. Other than preparing for such delays and the possibility of additional vetting, no other immediate actions are necessary at this time.
Please see the FAQ below for more detail. MIT continues to monitor the situation and will continue to post any new information on the Major Immigration Alerts and Updates webpage.
We understand the concerns and uncertainty that these changes in U.S. immigration policy create as you pursue your academic and research goals at MIT. Please know that the MIT leadership, faculty, and staff are here to support you, and we encourage you to reach out to us if we can be of any assistance.
FAQ
Which countries does this policy change impact?
The 19 “high-risk” countries currently designated by the Proclamation are: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, as well as Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Note: No new countries have been made subject to travel restrictions since Presidential Proclamation 10949 on June 4, 2025. Travel restrictions from the Proclamation remain in place.
How will the policy impact international students and scholars from those countries?
This new policy will likely result in processing delays for international students and scholars (researchers, faculty, instructional staff, visitors and postdocs, and their family members, from these designated countries who file, or have filed, applications for benefits with USCIS. These application types include: Form I-765 employment authorization (ex. F-1 Optional Practical Training/OPT, F-1 STEM OPT Extension), Form I-539 Change of Status, Form I-129 Employment Visa Petitions (ex. H-1B, O-1, etc.), Adjustment of Status (Green Card), asylum petitions, and others. Applicants may also receive from USCIS a Request for Additional Evidence (RFE) if they need more information to process the application, which is not uncommon. If you receive an RFE, please be sure to contact your ISO or ISchO Advisor.
When does this new policy go into effect? When might it be lifted?
The hold on USCIS application processing under this memorandum is effective December 2, 2025. The hold will be “in effect until lifted by the USCIS Director through a subsequent memorandum.”
What should impacted students and scholars do in light of this policy change?
Other than being prepared for the possibility of processing delays or additional vetting, no other immediate actions are necessary at this time. MIT continues to monitor the situation and will continue to post any new information on the Major Immigration Alerts and Updates webpage.
If any questions arise please be sure to contact your advisor at the International Students Office (ISO) or the International Scholars Office (ISchO).