Court Blocks New Policy Harmful to International Students and Exchange Visitors

As explained in this previous MeBIC post,  in August 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy upending over 20 years of prior policy regarding when those on F or M student visas, or on  J exchange visa holders, would begin to accrue unlawful presence.

On May 3, 2019, a Federal District Court  in North Carolina issued a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the new policy nationwide.   This is not the final ruling in the case, but prevents USCIS from applying the new policy while the case makes its way through the courts.

The August 2019 policy is extremely prejudicial to F and M student visa or J exchange visa holders, and can cost them the ability to stay in or return to the U.S., not only to their detriment but also to that of current or prospective employers, as explained here.

The litigation is ongoing.