Update to Travel Ban-Impacted Approaching Graduation

Updates and Support from ISS

April 10, 2026

Dear UB international student or community member,

We are reaching out to inform you that USCIS has released an update to the January 1, 2026 memorandum issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the suspension of adjudication of certain immigration benefits for citizens of the countries on the so-called Travel Ban list.

See below for the relevant paragraph:

“USCIS established an internal process for lifting holds on individual or group cases, requiring comprehensive review by multiple offices. Holds have been lifted for aliens vetted through Operation PARRIS, certain petitions filed by U.S. citizens, intercountry adoption forms, certain rescheduled oath ceremonies, statutory and regulatory decision issuance, refugee registrations for South African citizens/nationals, certain special immigrant visa petitions, certain employment authorization documents, and asylum applications from non high-risk countries. We continue to review all application types and lift holds for both individual and group cases as appropriate.”

What this means for you:

  • USCIS has resumed adjudication of some applications of those affected by this pause.
  • ISS will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as we have them.
  • If you have an application pending with USCIS, please continue to monitor the USCIS case tracker  and your myUSCIS account for changes. We kindly ask that you inform us of any changes to your case status.


As always, ISS is here to support you and answer your questions to the best of our abilities. Please do not hesitate to schedule an advising appointment or meet with us during drop-in advising.

Sincerely,
International Student Services