Court Blocks DHS Duration of Status Rule: Impact on Day 1 CPT Students

Quick Insights

• On September 14, 2026, a federal judge granted nationwide preliminary relief blocking DHS's new Duration of Status rule from taking effect the next day. Presidents Alliance
• The longstanding Duration of Status (D/S) framework therefore remains in effect nationwide for now. NAFSA
• The court ruling is a pause, not a permanent repeal. The lawsuit is still ongoing, so students should continue monitoring future court and agency updates.
• For Day 1 CPT students, the blocked rule means the planned four-year admission cap, new Extension of Stay framework, 30-day grace period, and new academic mobility restrictions do not take effect at this time.
• CPT itself was never eliminated by the July Final Rule, so existing CPT rules and university authorization requirements continue to govern Day 1 CPT.

This guide explains what the September 14 court decision changed, what remains the same for Day 1 CPT students, and what F-1 students should do now that the September 15 Duration of Status deadline has been put on hold.

See: What CPT Students Must Know: Will the New Rule Affect Day 1 CPT?

1. The September 15 F-1 Rule Did Not Take Effect

International students spent much of the summer preparing for one of the biggest changes to F-1 status in decades.

DHS published its Final Rule on July 17, 2026, replacing the longstanding Duration of Status framework with a fixed period of admission for F, J, and I nonimmigrants. The rule was scheduled to become effective on September 15, 2026.

That changed one day before implementation.

On September 14, U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV granted preliminary relief in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The court blocked the Final Rule from taking effect and prohibited DHS and ICE from implementing it while the litigation continues.

The court docket shows both a Memorandum & Order and Preliminary Injunction entered on September 14. VoteFiles

For F-1 students, the most important takeaway is simple:

The September 15 rule change did not happen. The existing Duration of Status system remains in place for now.

References:

Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. United States Department of Homeland Security

Plaintiffs’ Statement on Nationwide Preliminary Relief in Duration of Status Lawsuit

2. What Was the DHS Final Rule Supposed to Change?

Before looking at what the court decision means for Day 1 CPT, it helps to remember what DHS had planned.

The July Final Rule would have replaced admission under Duration of Status (D/S) with a fixed period tied to a student's academic program, generally capped at four years. Students who needed more time could have been required to request an Extension of Stay (EOS) from USCIS. Federal Register

Other important changes included:

• Reducing the F-1 grace period from 60 days to 30 days
• Requiring additional immigration planning for programs extending beyond the authorized admission period
• Restricting some school transfers and educational-objective changes
• Restricting students from beginning a new program at the same or a lower educational level after completing a program
• Moving many students into a more formal USCIS Extension of Stay process

For a full breakdown of the original rule, see our earlier guide:

2026 D/S Final Rule: What International F-1 Students Need to Know

3. What Does the Court Block Mean Right Now?

Because the rule was blocked before its effective date, current F-1 regulations continue to govern.

NAFSA's updated guidance confirms that the preliminary injunction issued on September 14 prevented the Final Rule from taking effect on September 15 and that the existing F-1 framework remains in place.

Here's the practical difference:

This does not mean every immigration rule has disappeared. Students still have to maintain valid F-1 status, follow SEVIS requirements, comply with their university's policies, and obtain proper work authorization.

It means the new July 2026 fixed-admission framework has been paused.

4. What Does This Mean for Day 1 CPT Students?

For students currently enrolled in—or considering—a Day 1 CPT program, the ruling removes some of the immediate uncertainty created by the September 15 deadline.

1. The Four-Year Fixed Admission Cap Is Not Taking Effect

Under the Final Rule, F-1 students would generally have been admitted for their program length up to a maximum period, creating additional planning concerns for students in longer graduate and doctoral programs.

Because the rule is blocked, students continue under the existing D/S framework for now. That means students should not assume they suddenly need a new four-year countdown simply because September 15 has passed.

2. You Do Not Automatically Need to File an Extension of Stay Because of This Rule

Many students spent the summer asking whether they would need to file Form I-539 once the fixed-admission system began. That new requirement was tied to the Final Rule that has now been blocked.

So if you were preparing to file an Extension of Stay solely because the September 15 Duration of Status rule was expected to take effect, do not assume that filing is now required.

Students should still speak with their DSO or an immigration attorney about their individual circumstances, especially if another immigration issue independently requires USCIS action.

3. The Planned 30-Day Grace Period Is Not Taking Effect

The July rule would have shortened the F-1 departure-preparation period after program or practical-training completion from 60 days to 30 days.

Because the rule did not take effect, that planned change is also on hold. NAFSA states that current F-1 regulations remain operative under the preliminary injunction. NAFSA

This is particularly relevant for students approaching the end of OPT who had been planning around a much shorter timeline.

For more information, read:

Is Your OPT Ending in 30 Days? Here's What You Can Do Before It Ends

5. Does the Court Decision Change Day 1 CPT Rules?

No. This is an important distinction.

The lawsuit concerns the Duration of Status Final Rule. It does not create new CPT rules, remove existing CPT authorization, or eliminate the underlying federal regulation governing Curricular Practical Training.

Day 1 CPT students must still comply with the existing CPT framework, including:

• Maintaining valid F-1 status
• Enrolling in an eligible academic program
• Ensuring practical training is part of the curriculum
• Obtaining DSO authorization before beginning employment
• Making sure the work is related to the academic program
• Following university attendance and academic requirements

The court's September 14 decision therefore does not mean CPT rules have suddenly become looser. It simply means the separate fixed-admission Duration of Status rule is not being implemented right now.

For more on current CPT requirements, see:

Full-Time vs. Part-Time CPT: What's Best for International Students?

What About the August SEVP CPT Broadcast?

Students should also avoid confusing the September court ruling with SEVP's separate August 12 CPT broadcast.

The August message focused on how schools and DSOs authorize CPT and emphasized compliance with existing practical-training requirements.

The September lawsuit, on the other hand, challenged DHS's Duration of Status Final Rule. These are separate issues.

The preliminary injunction blocking the D/S rule does not automatically cancel, reverse, or invalidate SEVP's CPT compliance guidance.

That means universities may still review their CPT procedures, and students should continue paying close attention to how their program documents practical training.

Read our full breakdown here:

Day 1 CPT: What the August SEVP Broadcast Really Means for F-1 Students

6. Can Students Transfer Schools Normally Again?

For now, the new transfer restrictions contained in the July Final Rule are not taking effect.

The blocked rule would have introduced additional restrictions affecting:

• First-academic-year transfers
• Graduate-level school changes
• Changes in educational objective
• Starting another program at the same or lower educational level

Because the preliminary injunction keeps the Final Rule from being implemented, students remain subject to the existing F-1 transfer rules, not the new restrictions planned for September 15. 

However, this does not mean every transfer is automatically appropriate.

Students considering a Day 1 CPT university should still evaluate:

• Academic progression
• Relationship between the new program and previous education
• Program legitimacy
• CPT eligibility
• Onsite requirements
• SEVIS-transfer timing
• Their long-term educational and career goals
  

Should You Still Enroll in a Day 1 CPT Program?

The court ruling should not be treated as a reason to rush into a program—or as a reason to abandon a legitimate academic plan.

A Day 1 CPT program may still make sense if:

• You genuinely want to continue your education
• The degree represents logical academic or professional progression
• The curriculum relates to your employment
• You meet CPT requirements
• You understand the university's attendance and academic expectations
• You have discussed the program with the school's DSO

Students should avoid choosing a school based only on the belief that the court decision guarantees that immigration policies will never change again.

The current ruling is temporary.

Your degree should therefore make sense even beyond this particular lawsuit.

This Is a Pause, Not a Permanent Repeal

This is probably the most important point in the entire update. Judge Saylor's order provides preliminary relief while the case continues. The court has not permanently erased the DHS Final Rule.

The government could continue litigating the case, seek appellate review, or take other legal steps. That means the status of the rule could change again.

Students should avoid two extremes:

• Don't panic and act as though the July rule took effect anyway.

But also:

• Don't assume the rule can never return.

For now, follow the current F-1 regulations and watch official updates.

You can compare current options here:

Explore Day 1 CPT Universities

Stay tuned for our social media updates

7. What Day 1 CPT Students Should Do Now

The court ruling provides immediate breathing room, but students should still use that time wisely.

1. Continue Following Your Current F-1 Requirements

Keep your SEVIS record active, attend required classes, meet onsite requirements, and comply with your university's CPT policies.

2. Do Not Change Plans Solely Based on Outdated September 15 Guidance

Any checklist or article telling you the fixed-admission rule “takes effect September 15” is now outdated unless it clearly mentions the September 14 injunction.

This includes earlier articles on our own site. We recommend checking the publication or update date whenever reading immigration guidance.

3. Keep Your Documents Organized

Maintain copies of:

• Form I-20
• Form I-94
• CPT-authorized I-20s
• Enrollment records
• Employment documentation
• Prior immigration notices

4. Talk to Your DSO Before a Transfer or Program Change

Although the new restrictions are blocked, the existing F-1 rules still apply.

5. Watch the Lawsuit

The legal case is ongoing, so additional rulings could change the situation.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Duration of Status rule take effect on September 15, 2026?

No. A federal judge issued nationwide preliminary relief on September 14 that blocked the rule from taking effect on September 15. The existing D/S framework remains in place while the litigation continues.

Is Duration of Status still valid for F-1 students?

Yes, for now. NAFSA states that the longstanding Duration of Status framework continues nationwide under the preliminary injunction.

Is the four-year F-1 admission limit still happening?

Not at this time. That limitation was part of the blocked Final Rule and did not go into effect on September 15.

Is the F-1 grace period now 30 days?

No. The planned reduction from 60 days to 30 days was part of the blocked rule. Current F-1 regulations remain in effect for now. 

Do Day 1 CPT students need to file Form I-539 because of the new rule?

Not solely because of the blocked September 15 rule. Whether someone needs Form I-539 for another reason depends on their individual circumstances.

Did the judge also block the August SEVP CPT broadcast?

No. The court case concerns the DHS Duration of Status Final Rule. The August SEVP CPT compliance message is a separate issue.

Is Day 1 CPT still allowed?

The September 14 injunction did not eliminate CPT. Students must continue to meet existing F-1 CPT requirements and obtain proper DSO authorization.

9. What Happens Next?

The lawsuit was filed on August 18, 2026, by a coalition that includes the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, NAFSA, higher-education organizations, and labor unions. 

A motion hearing took place on September 3, and the court issued the preliminary injunction on September 14. The case remains active. 

For students, that means this story is not finished.

The best approach is to follow updates from:

• The federal court docket
• DHS and ICE/SEVP
• USCIS
• Your university's international student office
• Trusted immigration attorneys and professional organizations

10. Conclusion

The September 14 court decision is a major development for F-1 students.

The DHS Final Rule that was supposed to end Duration of Status on September 15 has been blocked, meaning the longstanding D/S system remains in effect nationwide for now. 

For Day 1 CPT students, this means the planned four-year admission limit, new Extension of Stay framework, 30-day grace period, and new academic-mobility restrictions are not taking effect at this time.

But this should be viewed as a temporary legal pause—not the permanent end of the issue.

Continue complying with your current F-1 and CPT requirements, stay in close contact with your DSO, and avoid making major academic or immigration decisions based on outdated information.

Need Help Understanding What This Means for Your Situation?

Immigration policy has changed quickly over the past several months, and the September 14 court decision adds another layer of uncertainty.

If you're trying to understand how the ruling affects your F-1 status, OPT timeline, school transfer, Day 1 CPT plans, or future options, book a consultation with us!