MISE À JOUR : La Cour fédérale reporte l'application de la règle du DHS supprimant la « durée du statut » (D/S)
Juliana LaMendola • September 22, 2026
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Le 14 septembre 2026, le tribunal fédéral de première instance du district du Massachusetts a rendu une injonction préliminaire à l’échelle nationale dans l’affaire « Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration c. Département américain de la Sécurité intérieure », suspendant ainsi la mise en œuvre du règlement définitif du Département de la Sécurité intérieure (DHS) qui devait supprimer la « durée de validité du statut » (D/S) à compter du 15 septembre 2026. En vertu de cette ordonnance applicable à l’échelle nationale, le DHS n’est pas autorisé à appliquer des durées d’admission fixes aux étudiants titulaires d’un visa F-1, aux participants à des programmes d’échange titulaires d’un visa J-1 et aux représentants des médias titulaires d’un visa I tant que la procédure judiciaire est en cours.
Le cadre actuel de la « durée de validité du statut » restant pleinement en vigueur, les titulaires de visas F, J et I ne sont pas tenus, à ce stade, de déposer une demande de prolongation de séjour (formulaire I-539) pour conserver un statut valide au-delà de la date de fin de leur programme. De plus, les restrictions relatives aux transferts universitaires, les contraintes liées à l’inscription à un deuxième programme de même niveau, le plafond de 240 jours pour le maintien de l’emploi pendant que les demandes de prolongation sont en cours d’examen, ainsi que les délais de grâce raccourcis ne s’appliquent pas pendant la durée de l’injonction. Les titulaires de visas F-1 conservent l’intégralité du délai de grâce de 60 jours après la fin de leurs études, et les titulaires de visas J-1 conservent leur délai de grâce de 30 jours. Toutefois, veuillez noter que cette injonction préliminaire ne constitue pas une décision définitive invalidant la règle, et qu’une audience préliminaire est prévue le 2 octobre 2026 afin de déterminer les prochaines étapes de la procédure judiciaire.
Conseils pratiques immédiats :
- Vérifier les formulaires I-94 à la réadmission : les titulaires de visas F, J, et I actuellement admis sous le statut « D/S » conservent leur statut et devraient continuer à être réadmis sous ce statut après un voyage à l’étranger jusqu’à la levée de l’injonction. Toutefois, le formulaire I-94 faisant foi en matière de séjour légal, les voyageurs doivent vérifier leur formulaire I-94 délivré par le CBP dès leur retour afin de s’assurer que la mention « Admit Until Date » (Date limite d’admission) indique « D/S » plutôt qu’une date d’expiration précise. Si une date précise a été indiquée par erreur, contactez un site d’inspection différée du CBP local.
- Informez les RH et vérifiez la conformité sur le lieu de travail : les employeurs parrainant des salariés titulaires d’un visa F-1 ou J-1 doivent informer les RH et les responsables du recrutement que la règle de durée déterminée du 15 septembre est reportée et que les règles standard « D/S » s’appliquent. Cette évolution ne modifie pas les délais de dépôt standard ni les procédures de vérification du formulaire I-9 pour les prolongations d’OPT post-diplôme ou d’OPT STEM.
- Maintenez votre état de préparation opérationnelle et reportez les dépôts non indispensables : les titulaires de visa et les employeurs doivent reporter toute décision relative aux déplacements ou à la stratégie de dépôt prise uniquement en prévision de la règle d’admission à durée déterminée. Étant donné que le DHS pourrait faire appel ou que le tribunal pourrait modifier le calendrier à court terme, les établissements et les titulaires de visa doivent se tenir prêts à ajuster leurs plans si la mise en œuvre reprend.
Ce litige comporte de nombreux aspects en constante évolution. Si vous êtes titulaire d’un visa F-1, J-1 ou I, ou si vous êtes un établissement de parrainage ou un employeur, vous devez vous coordonner de manière proactive avec votre service des étudiants internationaux et votre conseiller juridique afin de protéger votre statut et de suivre les prochaines procédures judiciaires.
Ce blog n'est pas destiné à fournir des conseils juridiques et rien ici ne doit être interprété comme établissant une relation avocat-client. Veuillez prendre rendez-vous avec un avocat spécialisé en droit de l'immigration avant d'agir sur la base de toute information lue ici.
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security , halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that was scheduled to eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) on September 15, 2026. As a result of this nationwide order, DHS is blocked from enforcing fixed periods of admission for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I media representatives while the litigation moves forward. Because the current “duration of status” framework remains in full effect, F, J, and I visa holders are not required to file Form I-539 extension of stay applications to remain in valid status beyond program end dates at this time. Furthermore, restrictions on academic transfers, constraints on enrolling in second programs at the same degree level, 240-day caps on continued employment while extensions are pending, and shortened grace periods do not apply during the injunction. F-1 nonimmigrants retain the full 60-day post-completion grace period, and J-1 holders maintain their 30-day grace period. However, please note that this preliminary injunction is not a final ruling invalidating the rule , and a status conference is scheduled for October 2, 2026, to determine next steps in the litigation. Immediate Practice Tips: Inspect I-94 Travel Records Upon Reentry: F, J, and I visa holders currently admitted under D/S retain their status and should continue to be readmitted under D/S following international travel until the injunction is lifted. However, because the I-94 record controls legal stay, travelers must inspect their CBP-issued Form I-94 immediately upon reentry to confirm the "Admit Until Date" states "D/S" rather than a specific expiration date. If a specific date is mistakenly recorded, contact a local CPB Deferred Inspection Site. Notify HR and Review Workplace Compliance: Employers sponsoring F-1 or J-1 employees should inform HR and hiring managers that the September 15 fixed-period rule is postponed and standard D/S rules govern. This development does not alter standard filing windows or Form I-9 verification procedures for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extensions. Maintain Operational Readiness and Defer Unnecessary Filings: Visa holders and employers should defer travel or filing strategy decisions made solely in anticipation of the fixed-admission rule. Because DHS may appeal or the court could alter the timeline on short notice, institutions and visa holders should maintain readiness to adjust plans if implementation resumes. There are many evolving components to this litigation. If you are an F-1, J-1, or I visa holder, sponsoring institution, or employer, you should proactively coordinate with your international student office and legal counsel to protect your status and monitor upcoming court proceedings.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits. There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance detailing how officers will evaluate "public charge" inadmissibility for individuals applying for green cards through adjustment of status. This update follows a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations. The new policy takes effect on September 18, 2026 , and applies to all green card applications (Form I-485) postmarked or submitted on or after that date. Who Is Subject to the Public Charge Rule? Most family-based and employment-based green card applicants will be subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as well as most employment visa preference categories, investors, and diversity visa applicants. Certain categories remain explicitly exempt under immigration law. These include: Asylees and refugees Victims of human trafficking (T visa) or crime (U visa) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners Special Immigrant Juveniles Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Certain military-related applicants and other designated humanitarian groups How USCIS Will Make Determinations USCIS officers will evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge by reviewing the totality of their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Key factors include: Five Statutory Factors: Age, health, family status, assets/financial resources, and education or skills. Affidavit of Support: Submission of Form I-864 executed by a sponsor. Use of Public Benefits: USCIS will look at means-tested public benefits, such as cash assistance for income maintenance, housing assistance, food stamps (SNAP), or college financial aid. Note on timing: For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, the broader consideration of all listed means-tested benefits will apply. Public Charge Bonds If an officer determines that an applicant is inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny that invites the applicant to post a public charge bond using Form I-945. If an invited applicant successfully posts the required cash or surety bond, USCIS may approve the application for permanent residence. Public charge bonds can only be submitted if explicitly invited by USCIS. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor immigration developments closely and provide updates as further implementation details are released. For more information, please access: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination
