Advancing UW-Madison’s interests in Washington D.C. and beyond
A preliminary injunction was issued on September 14 in the lawsuit challenging the termination of the Duration of Status rule for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. As a result of the preliminary injunction, the rule will not take effect on September 15, 2026 as previously announced.
Monday was the comment deadline for the Office of Management and Budget's Proposed Regulation on Federal Financial Assistance, which would make broad and significant changes to federal research administration. UW–Madison joined nearly 500,000 other individuals and entities in submitting public comments to the proposal.
On June 8, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the federal government’s $100,000 H-1B payment policy as unlawful.
Vice Chancellor Dorota Brzezinska shared a message with the campus research community regarding the Office of Management and Budget's recently proposed changes to uniform guidance.
The Office of Student Financial Aid has created a webpage to share updates and resources on changing rules around federal student loan borrowing.
On March 31, a federal judge blocked an executive order from last year that prohibited federal funding of PBS and NPR. This ruling ultimately reaffirms the rights of a free and independent press. This ruling does not reverse the rescission vote by Congress that removed federal funding for public media.
International Student Services provides a summary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed federal rule change to end “duration of status” (D/S) for nonimmigrants granted entry to the U.S. in F, J, or I status. Duration of status refers to the period of lawful stay a nonimmigrant in F, J, or I status is granted upon entry to the U.S. on the Form I-94. (The I nonimmigrant visa status is not a visa type sponsored by UW-Madison.)
Earlier this year, two cases challenging the Feb. 14, 2025 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) and related directives were dismissed following the government’s withdrawal of its appeal and agreement to not enforce directives in the DCL. The government dismissal of the appeal does not impact UW–Madison’s current guidance.
Last week, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. 11 of the 12 regular appropriations bills are now enacted for FY26, with the exception of the Homeland Security appropriations bill. The likelihood of a partial government shutdown is high, though we do not anticipate any significant impacts on UW–Madison’s operations.
During the Board of Regents meeting last week, Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin shared an update regarding federal research funding changes over the past year.