U.S. Department of Homeland Security Updates

U.S. travel bans and restrictions start on June 9, 2025. For the more travel and visa information, please see our Immigration Policy Updates homepage.

Key Terms

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency whose work includes customs, border, and immigration enforcement, emergency response to natural and manmade disasters, antiterrorism work, and cybersecurity.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal agency under DHS that prevents people from entering the country illegally or bringing anything harmful or illegal into the United States.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal agency under DHS that enforces federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is the DHS program that administers the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). It ensures that government agencies have essential data related to nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors to preserve national security. SEVP provides approval and oversight to schools authorized to enroll F and M nonimmigrant students and gives guidance to both schools and students about the requirements for maintaining their status.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for processing immigration and naturalization applications and establishing policies regarding immigration services.
- Due to the number of updates related to USCIS, we have created a separate page related to USCIS updates.
- Click here to read more about USCIS Immigration Policy Updates.

Current Updates

DHS Proposed Changes to F/J Regulations

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed significant changes to the federal regulations pertaining to F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors. These changes are proposed, not finalized, and therefore are not currently in effect.

Brief Summary of Proposed Changes

Replace “duration of status” admissions to the U.S. with fixed end dates on Form I-94, not to exceed 4 years, for all F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their F-2/J-2 dependents
Require F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors to file formal extension applications with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they need to extend the program
Limit undergraduate F-1 students from changing their major, degree level, or school within their first year in the U.S.
Prohibit graduate F-1 students from changing their major, degree level, or school
Prohibit all F-1 students who complete a program in the U.S. from starting a new academic program at the same or lower degree level
Shorten F-1 student grace period from 60 days to 30 days.

DHS Proposed Rule in the Federal Register
DHS Press Release on Proposed Rule

F-1 SEVIS Terminations

Beginning in March 2025, the SEVIS records of F-1 students across the U.S. were terminated by the U.S. government with no warning or notice. Additionally, some of these students received visa revocation notices from the U.S. Department of State.

Beginning in April 2025, most of the SEVIS records previously terminated by the U.S. government were returned to "Active" status with no warning or notice. Even if SEVIS was returned to "Active", these student's visas may remain revoked. ISSS has also heard reports that some of these SEVIS records were later re-terminated.

Some Texas A&M current and former students have been directly impacted by the above trends. ISSS has been and will continue to monitor SEVIS records daily and inform students of any changes to their SEVIS record.

CBP Home App - Self-Deport Reporting Feature

From DHS Press Release on March 10, 2025:

"Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is launching the CBP Home app with a self-deportation reporting feature for aliens illegally in the country. Aliens should use the CBP Home mobile phone application to submit their intent to depart as indicated below..."

You should consult an immigration attorney if you have further questions or are considering using the self-deport function.

REAL ID Requirement Effective May 7, 2025

Important Notes

Travelers will need a passport or REAL ID compliant driver license or state ID for domestic air travel starting on May 7, 2025
REAL ID requirements may affect what identification documents are acceptable for Social Security Number (SSN) applications.
From the Texas REAL ID page: "Your current Texas driver license or ID is REAL ID-compliant if it has a gold star in the top right corner. If it doesn’t have a gold star, you’ll get the gold star on your next renewal or request a replacement card."

Additional Resources

Electronic Device Searches at Ports of Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices—including phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices—of anyone entering the U.S., including both U.S. citizens and non-citizens. CBP may access personal, confidential and sensitive data. If you refuse to provide access, your device may be seized. Visa holders may be denied entry to the United States if they refuse to provide access.

Additional information can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority/border-search-electronic-devices.

DHS Rescinds "Protected Areas" Enforcement Policy

On January 20, 2025 Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman rescinded the Biden administration's 2021 Guidelines for Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas memorandum. Those guidelines had required DHS officers and agents to seek prior approval from their agency's headquarters or an authorized delegate before taking an enforcement action (e.g., actions like arrests, apprehensions, searches, inspections, seizures, the service of charging documents or subpoenas, interviews and immigration enforcement surveillance) in or near a protected area. Protected areas had included schools (including colleges and universities), medical or mental healthcare facilities, and places of worship or religious studies. The rescission of the 2021 policy memo through DHS Memo to ICE and CBP, Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas (January 20, 2025) means that there are no longer any specific protected areas like schools, hospitals or churches under DHS enforcement policy.

DHS Expands Expedited Removal Policy

A DHS Federal Register notice published at 90 FR 8139 (January 24, 2025) extended the scope of expedited removal to the fullest extent authorized by the INA. Expedited removal is a procedure established by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA) that allows DHS to summarily deport (remove) an individual without a hearing before an immigration judge or review by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Deportable individuals not subject to expedited removal would have to be placed in standard removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

This website is not intended to serve as legal advice and is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. If you are experiencing legal issues related to your immigration record, please consult an experienced immigration lawyer or recognized/accredited organization or representative for legal advice or for legal assistance. If you're not sure where to begin with finding an attorney, then check the ISSS Legal Resources page.