On Monday, September 14, 2026, a U.S. district judge in Massachusetts temporarily paused (pdf opens in a new window) the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s final rule ending Duration of Status for F and J visa holders from taking effect while a case challenging the rule is considered in court. The final rule was scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

As a result of the preliminary injunction, current F and J regulations will remain unchanged while the litigation proceeds.

The International Student and Scholar Advising Office will continue to monitor this issue closely and share updates and analysis with the Dominican University community. While the rule is currently blocked from taking effect, it is important to recognize that the litigation is still ongoing. The court has not issued a final decision, and the government can be expected to appeal the injunction.

The International Student and Scholar Advising Office is committed to providing immigration guidance to the university community and to fostering a supportive environment for international students and scholars. We will continue to monitor this issue and provide updates as they become available.