Judge Blocks Elimination of Duration of Status

The following email was sent to Harvard international students and scholars on September 14:

Dear students, scholars, and recent alumni,

We’re writing to inform you that a federal judge in Boston has issued a preliminary injunction that prevents the government’s new rule eliminating Duration of Status for F and J visa holders from going into effect on September 15. 

The injunction temporarily blocks implementation of the rule while the court determines the full merits of the case. The lawsuit was filed by Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, and NAFSA, among others.

While the injunction is in place, your Duration of Status designation remains intact, and the rule has no impact on your visa status. However, the order is not a permanent resolution; the government can appeal the judge’s ruling, and there may be a lengthy legal process, which could end with the rule ultimately going into effect.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure to review the information about the new rule on the HIO website. We will continue to update this webpage as new information becomes available.

We recognize that this evolving situation may be confusing and unsettling. The HIO is here to support Harvard’s international community through this period of transition.

If you have questions or concerns, HIO advisors are here to help. Here’s how you can get in touch with us:

  • Small group sessions 
    • Best for asking questions in a group setting on a specific topic, such as the duration of status rule change or CPT. 
    • Check your advisor’s availability using their "Book an Appointment” link on the Meet With an Advisor page on the HIO website. 
  • Daily virtual drop-in hours  
    • Monday-Friday, 9-10 a.m. and 4-5 p.m. Eastern Time (excluding holidays). 
    • Best for quick questions about standard advising topics, including travel, OPT, STEM OPT, Social Security Numbers, etc. 
    • Join on Zoom 
  • School-specific office hours 
    • Some HIO advisors hold drop-in office hours during the academic year for their advising populations.
    • Best for quick questions about standard advising topics, including travel, OPT, STEM OPT, Social Security Numbers, etc. 
    • Check the HIO website for details. 
  • Individual appointments 
    • Meet with your HIO advisor one-on-one in person or online. 
    • Best for questions related to your specific situation or that you wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing in a group setting.
    • Check your advisor’s availability using their "Book an Appointment” link on the Meet With an Advisor page.  

Thank you,
The Harvard International Office

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