Harvard/MIT Student Visa Case
Nota Bene Episode 77: Labor, Employment, and Immigration in a Pandemic World with Kelly Hensley, Denise Giraudo, and Greg Berk
Effective June 26, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has required U.S. consulates to expand social media vetting for all F, M, and J visa applicants (students and exchange visitors) before issuing visas allowing them to...more
In February 2023, we shared an update on the rapidly evolving landscape of student-athlete NIL rights following the emergence of new state-level NIL laws and the Supreme Court’s decision in NCAA v. Alston. Since then,...more
On June 4, 2025, the White House issued two presidential proclamations that impose new constraints on visa issuance and travel to the United States. These actions are expected to impact multinational employers, academic...more
In a sudden move last week, the State Department stopped scheduling new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors while it rolls out enhanced social media screening procedures. The suspension, which...more
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has temporarily paused the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors applying for F, M and J visas. This directive, effective May 27, 2025, is part...more
F-1 status is reserved for individuals coming to the United States to pursue full-time study at an accredited college, university, seminary, high school/elementary school, or in a language training program. Both F-1 and M-1...more
On April 25, 2025, the Department of Justice announced in federal court that many students studying in the United States on F-1 visas whose status was recently changed to “Terminated” for “criminal records” reasons will have...more
International students and recent graduates across the county are facing the possibility of the government revoking their F-1 Student status or J-1 Exchange Visitor status, exposing them to the possibility of deportation –...more
International students, who commonly have what is known as an F-1 visa, are authorized to enter the U.S. to pursue full-time academic degrees at accredited institutions, certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program...more
In recent weeks the Department of State (DOS) has taken steps to revoke visas and terminate the status of international students who have criminal infractions and/or who have engaged in activism. In light of this intense...more
The new administration under President Donald Trump has moved quickly to reshape U.S. immigration policy. On Day 1, the president signed several executive orders that significantly alter prior policies, and these changes...more
Some U.S. colleges and universities are advising international students to adjust their winter break travel plans to ensure they return to campus before President-elect Trump takes office on January 20. We’ll explain...more
Happy holidays and welcome to our final issue of The Academic Advisor for 2024. Thank you for engaging with us through the newsletter this year. With this publication, we strive to provide schools, colleges and...more
NIL partnerships between businesses and collegiate student-athletes remain a lucrative opportunity. In fact, marketing and advertising through student-athletes has been so successful that the NIL industry is projected to soon...more
On July 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added the category of Environmental/Natural Resource Economics (03.0204) as a qualifying field of study to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. DHS did...more
As restrictions lessen on collegiate athletes’ ability to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL), international student-athletes in F-1 status continue to be at risk if they pursue these economic...more
The Supreme Court of the United States has declined to hear a challenge to a visa program that allows foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges and universities to work in the United States for up to three years. The...more
Welcome to our 6th edition of The Academic Advisor - our e-newsletter focused on education law insights. In this issue, we look at a variety of topics, including a recent federal court challenge to employment options for F-1...more
U.S. colleges and universities have many visa options that enable them to employ diverse and talented faculty from around the world. This article will introduce the primary nonimmigrant (temporary) visa categories used by...more
In this In the Public Interest podcast episode, WilmerHale co-host and Partner Brendan McGuire welcomes Lawrence Bacow, the 29th President of Harvard University, along with WilmerHale Partners Felicia Ellsworth and Seth...more
The ability of foreign students in F-1 status to participate in post-completion Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) in their fields of study is an important aspect of their education–an opportunity that draws many foreign...more
Report on Research Compliance 17, no. 8 (August 2020) - Higher education groups and others are hailing a decision by the administration to rescind planned rules that would have required students in the United States on...more
The Trump administration reversed a previous directive that would have barred students in F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant status from remaining in the United States this fall while taking courses entirely online. Earlier this month,...more
On July 14, 2020, in response to a lawsuit filed by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has agreed to rescind a policy that would have barred...more
As we reported last week, on July 6, 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant students attending schools operating entirely online were not permitted to remain in the U.S....more