INFORMS Open Forum

I wanted to open a discussion within our community about recent USCIS actions that have placed the professional lives of many international scholars in the United States in a state of profound uncertainty.

Through two memos issued on December 2, 2025, and January 1, 2026, USCIS has imposed an adjudicative hold on immigration benefits for individuals born in, or holding citizenship from, any of the 39 countries subject to entry bans under the relevant Presidential Proclamations. This hold appears to be sweeping in scope, affecting a wide range of benefits, including work authorization pathways such as OPT, H-1B petitions and extensions, TN visas and extensions, and others. Because the hold is based on place of birth or nationality, it appears to apply even to dual nationals like myself, despite my being a naturalized Canadian citizen, born in Iran.

While the memos refer to a 90-day review period, the hold as currently implemented appears indefinite, open-ended, and lacking any publicly stated criteria or timeline for resolution. In practice, this has left thousands of affected students, researchers, and faculty members in legal and professional limbo. Many are now scrambling to identify alternatives, including extending student status, returning to school, seeking opportunities in other countries, or preparing for the possibility of being forced to interrupt careers and lives they have built in the United States. The current war in Iran (one of the affected countries) makes the issue even more urgent. 

I wanted to bring this situation to the attention of our community because I believe many INFORMS members may already be affected, directly or indirectly.  My goals in sharing this are twofold. First, I hope to raise awareness within our community about the scale and seriousness of this policy. Second, I hope to draw on the collective wisdom, experience, and networks of this group to identify possible paths forward for those currently trapped in this uncertainty.

If others in this community have been affected, know of institutional responses, legal strategies, or practical options that may help, I would be deeply grateful to hear them.

Hi Saman,

This is all very painful and unfortunate. Currently, the ban is affecting immigrant visa petitions only. As long as the person is in the US, they can do an Adjustment of Status (e.g. J1 => H1-B).  I hope it works out!

------------------------------
Marianna Vydrevich
Manager, Operations Research and Network Optimization
GAF
Parsippany NJ

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2026 12:59
From: Saman Lagzi
Subject: Urgent Request for Help From the Community

I wanted to open a discussion within our community about recent USCIS actions that have placed the professional lives of many international scholars in the United States in a state of profound uncertainty.

Through two memos issued on December 2, 2025, and January 1, 2026, USCIS has imposed an adjudicative hold on immigration benefits for individuals born in, or holding citizenship from, any of the 39 countries subject to entry bans under the relevant Presidential Proclamations. This hold appears to be sweeping in scope, affecting a wide range of benefits, including work authorization pathways such as OPT, H-1B petitions and extensions, TN visas and extensions, and others. Because the hold is based on place of birth or nationality, it appears to apply even to dual nationals like myself, despite my being a naturalized Canadian citizen, born in Iran.

While the memos refer to a 90-day review period, the hold as currently implemented appears indefinite, open-ended, and lacking any publicly stated criteria or timeline for resolution. In practice, this has left thousands of affected students, researchers, and faculty members in legal and professional limbo. Many are now scrambling to identify alternatives, including extending student status, returning to school, seeking opportunities in other countries, or preparing for the possibility of being forced to interrupt careers and lives they have built in the United States. The current war in Iran (one of the affected countries) makes the issue even more urgent. 

I wanted to bring this situation to the attention of our community because I believe many INFORMS members may already be affected, directly or indirectly.  My goals in sharing this are twofold. First, I hope to raise awareness within our community about the scale and seriousness of this policy. Second, I hope to draw on the collective wisdom, experience, and networks of this group to identify possible paths forward for those currently trapped in this uncertainty.

If others in this community have been affected, know of institutional responses, legal strategies, or practical options that may help, I would be deeply grateful to hear them.