This page is intended to provide information and guidance on executive orders and presidential proclamations related to immigration. We are closely monitoring reaction to, implementation of, and challenges to these actions.
Updated entry restrictions based on country of citizenship
The Presidential Proclamation Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States was signed on December 16, 2025. This proclamation modifies the lists of countries included in Presidential Proclamation 10949 (signed June 4, 2025) and became effective at 12:01 am eastern standard time on January 1, 2026.
As of that time, entry to the U.S. is suspended for citizens of the following countries: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Palestinian Authority, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
In addition, entry to the U.S. in certain categories, including F or J status, is suspended for citizens of the following countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
As of the effective date, Laos and Sierra Leone moved from the “partial” restriction list to the “full” restriction list. In addition, citizens of Turkmenistan are only subject to restrictions on entry in immigrant categories as of that date.
The proclamation indicates that visas issued before the applicable effective date of the proclamation are not being revoked under this proclamation. The proclamation notes very limited exceptions to this travel ban.
Students and scholars whose country of birth or country of citizenship is one of the listed countries should also be aware that they may be subject to a pause on the processing of USCIS benefits based on the USCIS policy memorandum below.
If you have questions about your status or how this proclamation impacts your options, please speak with an ISSS advisor during advising hours to discuss your specific situation.
USCIS Policy Memorandum related to Presidential Proclamation 10949
On December 2, 2025, USCIS issued a new Policy Memorandum that directs USCIS personnel to:
- Place a hold on all Forms I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal), regardless of the alien’s country of nationality, pending a comprehensive review;
- Place a hold on pending benefit requests for aliens from countries listed in Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10949, Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, pending a comprehensive review, regardless of entry date; and
- Conduct a comprehensive re-review of approved benefit requests for aliens from countries listed in PP 10949 who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021.
The forms and types of applications cited in the Policy Memorandum include those connected with permanent residency, citizenship, and asylum. It is not clear at this time if the USCIS pause will extend to benefits for nonimmigrant students and scholars in F-1 and J-1 status. ISSS is continuing to monitor this situation closely. If you are a student or scholar whose country of birth or country of citizenship is listed in PP 10949 and you have questions about how this may impact any current or future applications with USCIS, please call or visit the ISSS during advising hours to discuss your specific situation.
USCIS Address and Registration Requirements
The Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration Interim Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2025 and effective on April 11, 2025. Individuals who need to register or re-register with USCIS based on this rule should review this USCIS page for more details.
- Individuals who entered the U.S. in F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 status at age 14 or older and who have a valid I-94 record are considered to have registered with the U.S. government. If you are not able to retrieve your most recent I-94 record, you should contact ISSS immediately.
- Individuals who entered the U.S. prior to their 14th birthday must "re-register" with USCIS within 30 days of turning 14. If you or your dependents entered the U.S. prior to turning 14 and have turned 14 or will soon turn 14, it is essential that you review the information on this USCIS page for the new registration requirement. That page provides step-by-step instructions on how to create an account and submit a registration form.
- If you are here in a status other than F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2, you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney about this requirement.
- All F-1 and J-1 students and scholars (and their dependents who are age 18 or older) must carry a printed copy of their I-94 at all times as documentation of your current status in the U.S.
- F-1 and J-1 students and scholars are required to report changes of address to ISSS within 10 days of the address change. International students must visit the US Residential Address Update form to check the address that ISSS has on file for you and to provide an update if needed. J-1 scholars should email ischolar@binghamton.edu with any address updates.
Entry restrictions for some Chinese citizens
The “Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China” was signed on May 29, 2020. This proclamation restricts travel to the United States for certain F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars. The proclamation addresses broad categories which have not yet been clearly defined by the Department of State.
F-1 and J-1 undergraduate students are not impacted by this proclamation. F-1 and J-1 graduate students and J-1 scholars may be impacted if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Currently "receives funding from or who currently is employed by, studies at, or conducts research at or on behalf of... an entity in the PRC that implements or supports the PRC’s 'military-civil fusion strategy'," or
- In the past "has been employed by, studied at, or conducted research at or on behalf of... an entity in the PRC that implements or supports the PRC’s 'military-civil fusion strategy'"
This order does not currently impact the status of students and scholars who are currently in the United States. This proclamation does not revoke current visas, but it does indicate that the Secretary of State may consider revoking F-1 and J-1 visas of students and scholars who meet the criteria in the future. Graduate students and scholars who believe they may meet the criteria should carefully consider travel plans and consult with the ISSS as they may not be eligible for a new visa or re-entry to the United States.
Additional ISSS resources
Information on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)