Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick

Dear Colleagues:

There were several developments this week that will directly or indirectly affect private, nonprofit colleges and universities and our students.

First, the Department of Homeland Security formally issued it’s long-awaited “duration of status” final rule for international students and exchange visitors. The rule, which will take effect on September 15, 2026, will limit international student residence in the United States to no more than four years absent a successful petition for an extension. (See story for more details.)

In Congress, the appropriations process is at a standstill. While the Appropriations Committee has completed work on all 12 annual spending bills, the Republican majority has so far only been able to pass one bill on the floor. Stalling all floor action is the Freedom Caucus threat to offer the controversial SAVE America Act—a voter registration bill that is a top priority for President Trump—to any bill under consideration until it is passed.

Meanwhile, the Senate has scheduled and cancelled multiple appropriations subcommittee markups because Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) cannot agree on the total allocations between defense and non-defense categories. In addition to this unusually partisan stalemate, Collins currently does not have a working majority on the Appropriations Committee after the death of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and the ongoing medical absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). With just a few legislative days left (4 in the House; 15 in the Senate) before the August recess, Congress will have to act quickly to keep the government funded when it returns September 14.

Finally, NAICU and more than 20 state associations submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget in response to its proposed Uniform Grant Regulation, which, if implemented, would significantly affect grantmaking across the federal government.

In its letter, NAICU argued that the proposal would convert guidance into regulation, undermine congressional intent by giving the Executive Branch broad discretion over federal funding decisions, create financial instability for long-term projects, elevate senior political appointees while diminishing the role of peer review by subject matter experts, restrict the use of grant funds for research, development, and favor low-cost applications over expertise. The proposed rewrite of the uniform guidance attracted almost 500,000 comments, compared with the roughly 2,000 submitted during the 2024 revision. Once adopted the new regulation remains in effect across administrations until they are revised again.

I hope you have a pleasant weekend.

Regards,

Barbara

Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
President, NAICU

For more information, please contact:
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.