November and December 2021, January 2022 Highlighting the top issues reported through NAFSA IssueNet. Prepared by NAFSA member Lisa Harris. Top Issues SEVP Multiple denials of record reactivations for leaves of absence, due to overly stringent interpretation of guidance; specifics of travel

On January 21, 2022, the Biden-Harris White House messaged its continuing commitment to attracting new talent in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and that "the Departments of State and Homeland Security are announcing new actions to advance predictability and

Note: Interested parties may nominate a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code for inclusion on or removal from the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, which is used to determine whether an F-1 student is eligible for a 24-month STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in a January 12, 2022 Federal Register notice that the DHS Secretary is reestablishing the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). "The primary purpose of the HSAAC will be to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary and DHS

The Department of State (DOS) proposed sharply raising key visa and processing fees, in a proposed rule published at 86 FR 74018 (December 29, 2021), as indicated in the table below. NAFSA joined other higher education associations in a February 28, 2022 comment letter led by the American Council on