UW–Madison is aware of the Presidential Proclamation “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” issued Friday, September 19, 2025. This proclamation outlines new rules governing the H-1B visa program. The Office of International Faculty and Staff Services communicated with affected employees over the weekend and continues to monitor the situation closely.
Campus Messages
Process for submitting comments to the federal government
Please reach out to the Office of Federal Relations if you are considering submitting comments to the federal government in response to a proposed rule change or request for information in your capacity as a university employee.
Proposed changes to “Duration of Status” (Stay) in the U.S. for F and J visa holders
International Student Services (ISS) shared information regarding the proposed “duration of status” rule for F and J visa holders.
AAU board endorses FAIR Model for covering real costs of research
The Board of Directors of the Association of American Universities (AAU) announced their support of the FAIR Model proposed by the Joint Accountability Group.
UW–Madison participating in legal challenges to prevent wrongful funding cuts, grant terminations and delays (updated 8/14)
An update on UW–Madison’s participation in legal challenges to prevent wrongful funding cuts, grant terminations and delays.
Higher education associations call on NIH to reinstate research funding
Higher ed associations, including The American Council on Education (ACE), the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), advocate for the reinstatement of canceled NIH grants. UW–Madison’s Office of Legal Affairs continues to work closely with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and higher ed associations on legal challenges to prevent wrongful funding cuts, grant terminations and delays.
Congressional rescission package affects Wisconsin Public Media
On Friday, July 18, the House of Representatives passed the Senate-amended rescission package with a vote of 216-213, eliminating federal funding to public media. Wisconsin Public Media (WPM) is a division of UW–Madison and relies on federal support for its operations.
Federal Budget – Reconciliation Update
President Donald Trump signed Congress’ reconciliation package, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” into law on July 4th. The most significant impacts to UW–Madison include the provision to defund SNAP-Ed and changes to federal student financial aid.
Visa appointments resume after three-week suspension
Media outlets have reported that the U.S. Department of State has instructed U.S. consulates and embassies to resume visa appointments using new guidelines to screen the online and social media presence of all applicants for student and scholar visas. The new vetting requirements and procedures should be implemented within five business days (by 25 June). UW–Madison has not received official notice regarding the new visa applicant screening guidelines.
Legal challenge to the administration’s cut to critical defense research
The Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) jointly filed a new lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, along with a number of impacted research university co-plaintiffs, seeking to halt the proposed Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate cut to 15% for all Department of Defense research grants to colleges and universities. UW–Madison is a member university of AAU, ACE and APLU.