Updated ACE Brief Offers Practical Steps for Campuses Facing Immigration Uncertainty

First issued in January 2025, the brief anticipated a new round of executive and agency actions following President Trump's return to office. The February 2026 update reflects the pace and scope of developments over the past year, including expanded travel bans, adjudication pauses, increased visa scrutiny, proposed regulatory changes, student visa revocations, and stepped-up enforcement activity.

It also notes ongoing legal challenges, including a January Jan. 28, 2026, order in which U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz wrote that ICE had likely violated an extraordinary number of court orders in a single month, describing the situation as one that "should give pause to anyone-no matter his or her political beliefs-who cares about the rule of law."

Among the issues addressed:

• Expanded travel bans affecting certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders
• Adjudication pauses for individuals from designated countries
• Enhanced social media vetting for F, M, J, H-1B, and H-4 applicants
• Proposed changes that would replace duration of status for students with fixed admission periods
• Revocation of more than 1,600 student visas and termination of thousands of SEVIS records, along with subsequent litigation and partial restorations
• New H-1B petition fee requirements for certain applicants abroad and changes to the H-1B lottery process
• Termination of automatic extensions of employment authorization

Institutions are encouraged to establish clear internal protocols for responding to visits from federal immigration agents, designate a primary point of contact, and understand the distinction between judicial and administrative warrants and between public and nonpublic campus spaces.

For campuses navigating enrollment, hiring, research collaboration, and student support in this environment, the updated brief is intended to provide clarity on both the legal landscape and practical considerations. ACE encourages institutions to review compliance and privacy policies, consult legal counsel, and remain attentive to updates as federal actions continue to evolve.