Proposed Changes to Rules and Regulations

This page lists current proposals in the U.S. federal government to change a rule or regulation. Proposed changes are not currently active. Further review is required before final decisions are made about the proposal. Once a change is no longer in the proposal review process, ISSS will update this website accordingly.

Rulemaking is the policy-making process for Executive and Independent Agencies of the U.S. federal government. Agencies use this process to develop and issue rules (also referred to as “regulations”). To learn more about the rulemaking process and view related frequently asked questions, visit:

Page last updated November 18, 2025

November 2025

Proposal to Expand Biometrics Collection and Use

Who submitted the proposal?

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Summary of proposal

On November 3, 2025, the DHS published a proposed rule that seeks to broadly expand the collection and use of biometrics in the enforcement and administration of immigration laws. If finalized, it would expand its current biometrics collection policies (fingerprints and photographs, etc.) to include palm prints, facial and voice recognition, ocular imagery including iris and retina images, and DNA, among other techniques. The 60-day comment period will end on January 2, 2026.

"Any individual filing or associated with a benefit request, other request, or collection of information" as described in this proposed rule must submit biometrics to DHS unless exempted. "Individuals subject to this requirement include, but are not limited to, applicants, petitioners, sponsors, supporters, derivatives, dependents, and beneficiaries of a request, and may include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents."

DHS Proposed Rule in the Federal Register

September 2025

Proposal to Change H-1B Cap Selection Process

Who submitted the proposal?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - a unit under U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Summary of proposal

On September 24, 2025, the USCIS published a proposed rule titled Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions. The 30-day comment period ended on October 24, 2025.

The proposed rule seeks to replace the current random selection process for H-1B cap-subject registrations (for both the 65,000 regular cap and the 20,000 advanced degree exception) with "a weighted selection process that would generally favor the allocation of H-1B visas to higher skilled and higher paid aliens, while maintaining the opportunity for employers to secure H-1B workers at all wage levels."

DHS Proposed Rule in the Federal Register

Proposal to Expand Data Collected on Forms I-17 and I-20

Who submitted the proposal?

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Summary of proposal

On September 3, 2025, DHS proposed to significantly expand the data collected through Form I-17, Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student, and Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1 and M-1) Student Status. The 60-day comment period ended on November 3, 2025.

The Form I-17 will be revised to collect information including but not limited to: "...school website links, emergency contact information for the school, and additional information on school ownership... SEVP will be redesigning the “Program of Study” page on the Form I-17 to better capture the educational level, degree, program of study, time necessary to complete the program, assigned Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code, and mode of instruction. In addition, SEVP will require schools to indicate whether a program of study is conducted predominantly online, in a hybrid or low residency format and whether Curricular Practical Training is a component of a program of study."

The Form I-20 will be revised to collect information including but not limited to: "...the date of graduation/degree awarded, clarifying details on the source and type of the financial support for the F and M student, as well information to indicate whether a student is engaging in online education, on-campus employment, and whether any employment or training is being conducted on-site or remotely."

DHS Proposed Rule in the Federal Register

August 2025

Proposal to Change F and J Status Regulations

Who submitted the proposal?

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Summary of proposal

The DHS has proposed significant changes to the federal regulations pertaining to F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors.

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