ALLIANCE COMMENTARY
Judge blocks DHS from implementing final rule ending Duration of Status
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court granted a nationwide preliminary relief halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final rule ending Duration of Status (D/S). The court blocked the DHS rule, set to take effect on September 15, citing concerns about the government’s rationale for the final rule and its claimed need to safeguard national security.
Call to Action: Help Shape the Future of BridgeUSA Programs
The Alliance for International Exchange needs your help collecting data for our BridgeUSA Impact Report.
This report is a one-of-a-kind major effort to document the experiences, outcomes, and lasting impact of U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA programs. The report will provide a clearer picture of what these programs mean for participants, hosts, employers, communities, and the U.S.
What to Know About ECA’s Guidance Directive on the Elimination of Duration of Status
The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) released a directive this week providing BridgeUSA-specific guidance to help program sponsors and participants navigate the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) rule eliminating Duration of Status (D/S), scheduled to go into effect on September 15. The impact of this directive on J-1 exchange programs is two-fold: first, it outlines a process by which many J-1 participants will not to be required to go through DHS’ new Extension of Stay (EOS) process, but rather can continue using existing program extension methods; and second, it notes that current J-1 exchange visitors admitted under D/S will not be required to go through the EOS process if sponsors add an Expected Completion Date to their SEVIS record by September 15.
DHS finalizes rule ending Duration of Status for F, J, and I nonimmigrants
Nearly a year after the proposed rule’s release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized its regulation ending the longstanding Duration of Status (D/S) framework for F, J, and I nonimmigrants. The final rule, published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026, creates a fixed admission period for exchange visitors and international students and establishes a new USCIS extension process for those visa holders who need additional time to complete their programs.
New J-1 visa appointment availability data signals concern for Summer 2026
Recent data collection conducted by the Alliance within our membership (see note below for more on methodology) shows that nearly 25,000 J-1 BridgeUSA participants set to arrive this summer are at risk of not getting a visa interview. A lack of visa interview capacity in key sending countries remains an acute threat to BridgeUSA programs and U.S. communities as we draw closer to the start of the summer season.
Making J-1s a Priority: The Importance of J-1 Visa Appointment Availability to the U.S. in Summer 2026
We’re less than three months out from the start of the summer season for U.S. businesses and communities, and one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the U.S. has a J-1 visa appointment availability problem.
Exchange programs take center stage in Under Secretary Rogers’ first appearance before Congress since confirmation
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 5, 2026, where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle brought U.S. Department of State international exchange programs to the forefront of their questioning and remarks.
Recently released State Department data shows concerning dip in BridgeUSA participation in 2025
BridgeUSA participant numbers dipped to 275,000, an 8.8% decrease from 2024, and the first decline in participation in more than five years. This is a departure from recent participation trends, as 2021-2024 saw a steady increase and almost complete rebound from the 2020 plummet in program participation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statement on another inaccurate portrayal of BridgeUSA international exchange programs by the New York Times
The Alliance for International Exchange is deeply disappointed in the New York Times’ second inaccurate and reductive portrayal of U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA international exchange programs (first in September, and again in an article released on Christmas Day).
Statement on inaccurate New York Times article on international exchange programs
The Alliance for International Exchange is deeply disappointed by the inaccurate and reductive portrayal of U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA international exchange programs in a recent New York Times article.
Rollout details and timing of new “Visa Integrity Fee” remain unclear
Created earlier this year as a part of H.R. 1 (otherwise known as the One Big Beautiful Bill), a new “Visa Integrity Fee” would add a $250 charge to all approved nonimmigrant visas, in addition to any already existing application fees.
USCIS Alien Registration Explained: What it Means for Exchange Students
Since the beginning of the second Trump administration, there has been growing confusion within the exchange community surrounding recent developments related to the Alien Registration Requirement and their potential implications for exchange participants. While these requirements do not apply to the majority of international students or exchange visitors, and no additional registration is necessary for individuals in these categories, it remains important to understand what they entail. Read on for more information on what the Alien Registration Requirement is and to whom it applies.
New Report: BridgeUSA Exchange Programs are an investment in America
The Alliance is pleased to announce the launch of a new report that showcases the significant impact Department of State BridgeUSA programs have in and on the United States.