Latest Updates
- DHS Extends Mass Influx of Aliens Finding. March 25, 2025. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem extended for another 180 days DHS's initial finding of a "mass influx of aliens" at the southern border. See NAFSA's page.
- DHS Ends Categorical Parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. On March 25, 2025 DHS published a notice in the Federal Register terminating categorical parole for up to 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. See NAFSA's page.
- DHS Reduces CIS Ombuds Office. On March 21, 2025 news outlets reported that DHS had implemented a "reduction in force" affecting over 100 employees across three oversight offices, including the CIS Ombudsman's Office.
- Executive Order of March 20, 2025: Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities directs the Secretary of Education to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education" and to ensure that the allocation of any Federal Department of Education funds not support "'diversity, equity, and inclusion' or similar terms and programs promoting gender ideology." See NAFSA's page.
- Presidential Proclamation: Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of The United States by Tren De Aragua. March 15, 2025. In a March 15, 2025 proclamation President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Venezuelan criminal organization that has also been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The proclamation is currently enjoined by a temporary restraining order issued the same day as the proclamation. See NAFSA's page.
- INA 212(f) Travel Ban Expected Soon. March 15, 2025. An INA 212(f) "travel ban" is expected soon, according to media and other sources. Media reports have identified some countries that may be subject to a ban during this first round, but there have been no official or public government communications on what countries might be included or the scope of any bans on particular countries. See NAFSA's page.
Key Executive and Regulatory Actions
Government Funding, Staffing, and Operations
On February 27, 2025 a 15 day pause of current and future grant payments for the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs programs expired. Funding has not been restored.
Antisemitism Related
On March 10, a New York District Court issued an order to block the removal from the United States of a student who is a lawful permanent resident of Palestinian background, following the student's arrest by ICE agents acting under Executive Order 14188, "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism."
Vetting and Enforcement
A January 20, 2025 executive order directs federal agencies to enhance immigration screening and vetting procedures to prevent the entry of individuals who may pose a terrorist, national security, or public safety threat to the United States.
Related Resources
2025 Policy Digest
A chronological compilation of U.S. government policy and regulatory developments and related advocacy activities, updated on a monthly basis.
Connecting Our World
Connecting Our World is NAFSA's weekly newsletter that distills the top policy and regulatory developments affecting international education and identifies how members of the field can use their voice to take action in simple but meaningful ways.
Helpful Resources
Helpful resources from NAFSA and others on initiatives under the Second Trump Administration
NAFSA Statements and Commentary
NAFSA Responds to ECA Funding Freeze
“The freeze on State Department grant programs threatens the survival of study abroad and international exchange programs that are essential to U.S. economic and national security," said Fanta Aw, NAFSA executive director and CEO in a statement.
IE30: 40 Days into the New Administration in the United States
A March 3 NAFSA townhall explored the evolving landscape of international education policy 40 days into the new US administration and NAFSA's strategic focus.
NAFSA Signs on to Letter Asking DoEd to Rescind its Dear Colleague Letter
NAFSA joined more than 60 associations in a letter sent by the American Council on Education (ACE) to the Department of Education (DoED), asking the agency to rescind its February 14, 2025, Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) and "work to promulgate guidance that reflects existing law."