Federal Court Temporarily Halts DHS Immigration Rule on Admission Periods

A federal district court in Massachusetts has issued a preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that would have replaced the "duration of status" framework for certain nonimmigrants with fixed admission periods. The rule, set to begin September 15, 2026, would have introduced new extension-of-stay requirements and operational challenges. This injunction postpones its effective date, impacting F, J, and I nonimmigrants, as well as employers.