Federal Guidance Resources
Information reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Webpage last updated: July 21, 2026
Updates Related to Federal Actions
Latest Update
Update: New DHS Rule Affecting International Students
Posted: July 21, 2026
Last updated: July 21, 2026
Montgomery College is carefully reviewing a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule affecting international students and exchange visitors. At this time, there is no immediate change to your immigration status, and the rule is not scheduled to take effect until September 15, 2026.
This DHS final rule changes how certain international students and exchange visitors are admitted to and remain in the United States. The rule primarily affects individuals in F-1 and J-1 immigration status. We are consulting with immigration and higher education experts to understand its implementation and any potential impacts on our students.
What students should know:
- There is no immediate change to your immigration status.
- The rule does not take effect until September 15, 2026.
- Additional federal guidance may be issued before the effective date.
- Montgomery College will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
What is changing?
Under the new rule, many F-1 and J-1 visa holders would receive a fixed period of authorized stay, instead of the longstanding “Duration of Status (D/S)” admission process. Depending on their individual circumstances, some students who need additional time to complete their academic program may need to apply for an extension of stay with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The rule also includes changes affecting certain transfers, program changes, and post-completion grace periods.
Current Montgomery College international students
If you are currently enrolled at Montgomery College:
- Continue attending classes and maintain your current immigration status.
- Continue following the guidance provided by the International Student Office.
- Do not make immigration, travel, or enrollment decisions based solely on news reports or information shared through social media.
- If you have questions about how this rule may affect your individual circumstances, contact the International Student Office before taking any action.
Prospective international students
Montgomery College continues to welcome qualified international students. Our admissions processes remain unchanged at this time. Students planning to enroll should continue following current admissions and visa procedures while monitoring this page for future updates.
We're here to help
We understand that changes to federal immigration policy can create uncertainty. Our International Student Office is committed to supporting current and prospective students by answering questions, providing guidance, and sharing updates as additional federal information becomes available.
This page will be updated as new federal guidance is released.
Federal immigration regulations may change as additional implementation guidance becomes available or as a result of legal or administrative actions. Montgomery College will update this page as appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
The rule may affect current and future F-1 and J-1 students; however, there is no immediate change to students' immigration status. The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. Montgomery College is reviewing the final rule and will communicate directly with students if any action is required.
No. This rule changes certain immigration procedures related to admission and authorized stay in the United States. It does not automatically change or cancel an existing visa.
No. Continue attending classes, maintain full-time enrollment (if required by status), and follow all current immigration requirements. If additional actions become necessary, Montgomery College will communicate directly with affected students.
Not without first speaking with the International Student Office. Immigration rules can affect international travel differently depending on your individual circumstances.
Montgomery College continues to welcome international students. Students interested in applying should continue following the current admissions process. We will provide updates if future federal guidance changes any admissions or immigration procedures.
If you plan to extend your studies, transfer to another institution, change your educational objective, or have questions about your immigration status, contact the International Student Office before making any decisions.
Because immigration regulations are complex and individual circumstances vary, students should rely on information from:
- Montgomery College's International Student Office
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Be cautious about relying on unofficial information shared through social media or other online sources.
As additional federal guidance becomes available, Montgomery College will update this webpage and communicate directly with international students if any action is required.
Older Updates
In January 2025, the new federal administration began issuing memos, regulations, and executive orders, including some which may impact our work and community at Montgomery College.
The College’s commitment to our mission and values remains unchanged—we remain steadfastly focused on welcoming all students and employees into a community that emphasizes belonging; and we are committed to giving every individual what they need to succeed.
We understand the uncertainty that multiple policy instructions have created. Many of these are changing daily, face legal challenges, and may or may not remain in effect long-term.
Through this period of rapid change, the College is monitoring the situation closely and collaborating with legal, policy, and higher education experts to gain clarity and respond appropriately.
In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the resources below for guidance and answers to frequent questions. We are updating this site as new information becomes available.
Immigration/Enforcement Actions
We understand that members of the College community may be concerned about the possibility of immigration enforcement activity on our campuses and centers. Please be assured that Montgomery College Public Safety will never ask you about your immigration status, and will not be involved with enforcing federal immigration laws.
- As a public, open access institution, portions of our College are open to the general public, including federal law enforcement authorities. However, law enforcement authorities generally need a valid judicial warrant to access non-public areas such as private offices or classrooms while classes are in session.
- Although we have not had any reports of immigration enforcement activity at Montgomery College to date, in the event that you are contacted by federal authorities seeking information, access to non-public spaces, or to enforce immigration laws, employees should immediately call MC Public Safety. You can dial 7-3333 from any campus phone or 240-567-3333 to reach Public Safety Dispatch for all locations.
- Public Safety will review, in consultation with legal counsel, warrants or other documentation provided by the agents and determine next steps.
- College employees should inform federal immigration enforcement officials that they have reached out to campus officials for further assistance and ask them to wait until MC Public Safety arrives.
- Under no circumstances should anyone physically obstruct or interfere with federal immigration authorities in the course of their duties.
- Attorney General of the State of Maryland Guidance to Colleges and Universities Regarding
Immigration Enforcement (2025) (PDF,
) - Executive Order: Protecting the American People Against Invasion (1/20/2025) new window
- Department of Homeland Security Directives (1/21/2025) new window
- Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities (3/20/2025) new window
- Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and other National Security and Public Safety Threats Proclamation (6/4/2025) new window
We encourage any international students with questions or concerns about the ban to contact our International Student Office, email i20questions@montgomerycollege.edu, or call 240-567-5043.
Messages from MC Leadership
- Welcoming the Spring Semester and Affirming Our Mission (1/21/25) (PDF, )
- Commitment to Your Success Amid Policy Changes (2/4/25) (PDF, )
- Update on Federal Financial Assistance Review (2/4/25) (PDF, )
- Guidance on Questions regarding Executive Orders (2/6/25) (PDF, )
External Resources
- American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) new window
- Association of American Universities (AAU) new window
- American Council on Education (ACE) new window
- Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) new window
- Maryland Public Servants Resource Website new window
Executive Orders/Dear Colleague Letter/Additional Federal Guidance Relevant to Higher Education
- U.S. Department of Education Ends Funding to Racially Discriminatory Discretionary
Grant Programs at Minority-Serving Institutions (9/10/25) new window
Note: While Montgomery College is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, we do not currently receive any HSI program grants. We are continuing to monitor federal activity related to MSI/HSI programs and other grant funding. - U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights “Dear Colleague” Letter (2/14/25) (PDF, )
- Update (2/27/26): The U.S. Department of Education has dropped its appeals of two federal court rulings that blocked enforcement of the Dear Colleague Letter. As a result, the DCL is no longer in effect and cannot be enforced against colleges and universities.
- Title IX (2/5/25) new window
- Rescission of OMB Memo (1/29/25) new window
- Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs (1/27/25) (PDF, )
Executive Orders - Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens (04/28/2025) new window
- Preparing Americans for High Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future (04/24/2025) new window
- Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education (04/23/2025) new window
- Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections (3/25/2025) new window
- Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities (3/20/2025) new window
- Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (1/21/25) new window
- Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing (1/20/25) new window
- Protecting the American People Against Invasion (1/20/25) new window
More Guidance
You may find additional answers to questions here:
DEI/Civil Rights/Discrimination
- U.S. Dept of Education Office for Civil Rights (2/14/25) (PDF, )
- Guidance from the Office of the Maryland Attorney General new window
Immigration
- Immigration Enforcement on Campuses: What You Need to Know (2/25/25) new window
- Inside Higher Ed: Campuses No Longer Off-Limits to ICE (2/5/25) new window
Resources for Basic Needs
- Basic Needs Assistance
- Hardship Aid for Students from the MC Foundation
- Montgomery County Resources new window
Community Resources
- Montgomery County Food Council new window
- Montgomery County Government Resources new window
- Prince George’s County Resources new window
- DC Resources for Federal Workers new window
- Maryland Workers Impacted by the Shutdown new window
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