The Biden-era reversal of prior procedures is no longer the story: this week the U.S. administration published a rule that would require a large subset of green‑card applicants to complete consular processing abroad rather than file for adjustment of status from inside the United States. Major U.S. outlets — including The Washington Post, PBS and The Guardian — reported the change and described the immediate confusion for applicants, employers and university international‑student offices.
For students the implications are practical and immediate. Many international graduates rely on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT to work while an employer‑sponsored green‑card petition (PERM and I‑140) proceeds; adjustment of status (AOS) has historically allowed applicants to remain and to request work and travel authorization during long adjudication periods. The new rule narrows those pathways: applicants who must now undergo consular processing may need to return to their home country for an immigrant visa interview, risking long waits, travel restrictions, and difficulty reentering the U.S. to finish studies or employment.
What should Jordanian and regional students do now? First, stay in lawful status: continue attending classes and meet all SEVIS requirements. Contact your university international student office immediately to update your plans. Second, if you have employer sponsorship in progress, insist your employer and immigration counsel re‑assess strategy now — you may need to prepare for consular processing, including civil documents, translations, criminal record checks and possible additional security clearances that take months. Avoid international travel without legal advice; leaving the U.S. while an AOS is pending under old rules was common, but under the new framework departures can complicate re‑entry and visa interviews.
Timing and deadlines: federal immigration rules typically take effect after publication in the Federal Register and may include short implementation windows (often 30–60 days). Because litigation and implementation plans can change rapidly, monitor USCIS and the Department of State announcements and consult an immigration attorney promptly if you have a pending petition. If you are on OPT or STEM OPT, consider filing employer H‑1B petitions when eligible, documenting continuous employment, and collecting all civil records now to avoid last‑minute delays for consular interviews.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations (شطناوي للخدمات الجامعية والاستشارات الأكاديمية) can help students evaluate academic timing, alternatives for continued study, and connections to immigration specialists experienced with consular processing and employer petitions. Our advisers can review timelines for degree completion, OPT/STEM OPT planning, and the documentation checklist needed for consular visa interviews.
For immediate guidance, students should secure legal counsel and speak with their international student office. Contact Shatnawi for case specific advice via WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com for consultations and document checklists.