Hello Reader,

Happy Wednesday. ✨

A big week for anyone on a visa. A federal court just blocked DHS's new F-1 Duration of Status rule days before it was set to take effect, DHS has proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period after job loss, and Oracle has begun another round of layoffs reaching teams in India.

Here's what you need to know 👇

The Open Atlas Weekly Bulletin

Court Blocks New F-1 Duration of Status Rule

DHS Proposes Ending the 60-Day Grace Period

Oracle Begins Another Round of Layoffs

Now, onto the newsletter.

📗 Immigration

​Court Blocks DHS Rule Ending “Duration of Status” for F-1 Students​
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International students received a major reprieve this week after a federal court blocked DHS from implementing its new Duration of Status rule, which had been scheduled to take effect September 15. The rule would have generally replaced the existing D/S framework for F-1 and J-1 holders with fixed admission periods of up to four years, requiring some students to apply for extensions to remain longer. It also included new restrictions on school transfers, changing academic programs and beginning another program at the same or lower educational level.

For now, the existing Duration of Status framework remains in place nationwide while the litigation continues. The relief is preliminary, not a final ruling on the rule itself.

Read more: Presidents’ Alliance​

​DHS Proposes Eliminating the 60-Day Grace Period After Job Loss​
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DHS has formally proposed eliminating the up-to-60-day grace period currently available to workers in H-1B, L-1, O-1, E and TN status after their employment ends.

If finalized as proposed, affected workers and their dependents would generally be considered to have failed to maintain status beginning the day after employment ends, unless they are otherwise authorized to remain in the United States. DHS also acknowledges that some affected individuals could receive a Notice to Appear, beginning removal proceedings.

Importantly, nothing changes yet. This is still a proposed rule, and the existing grace period remains in effect while the rulemaking process continues.

Read more: Federal Register​

​Two H-1B Fee Dates to Watch Next Week​
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ITwo separate H-1B fee developments are approaching important dates.

First, DHS is proposing a new $103,265 fee for every cap-subject H-1B petition, including advanced-degree exemption cases, on top of other applicable filing costs. The proposal is not yet final, and written comments are due September 24, 2026, under Docket USCIS-2026-0298.

Separately, the presidential proclamation that introduced a $100,000 H-1B payment requirement was originally set to remain in force through September 21, 2026 unless extended. Its implementation has since been affected by ongoing litigation. The Federal Register notes that a federal district court vacated the agency guidance implementing the payment in June and that the government's appeal remains pending.

The key distinction: the proposed $103,265 fee and the $100,000 proclamation payment are separate policies with different legal foundations and statuses.

Read more: Federal Register​

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💫Career Resources

​Oracle Begins Another Round of Layoffs, With India Teams Affected​​
​Oracle has begun another round of job cuts, starting in the United States on September 14 before reaching teams in India. Employees reportedly lost access to company systems before receiving termination emails early in the morning, while reports suggest thousands of roles could be affected globally and significant cuts may hit Indian teams. Oracle has not publicly confirmed a final number.

The cuts come as the company continues restructuring while increasing investment in AI and cloud infrastructure. Oracle's latest regulatory filing puts estimated costs under its fiscal 2026 restructuring plan at up to approximately $2.8 billion following additional planned actions.

For H-1B employees affected by layoffs today, the important distinction is that the existing up-to-60-day grace period still applies because DHS's proposal to eliminate it has not been finalized.

Read more: Analytics Insight​

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💫HELPFUL RESOURCES

If You’ve Been Laid Off While on a U.S. Work Visa

USCIS: Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination

USCIS provides an official breakdown of options that may be available following termination, including having a new employer file a petition, changing status, pursuing certain employment authorization options where eligible, or departing the United States.

​Explore the USCIS guide​

Department of Labor: WARN Act Guidance

For some mass layoffs and plant closings, the federal WARN Act may require covered employers to provide 60 calendar days of advance notice. Whether it applies depends on factors including employer size, location, number of employees affected and available exceptions.

​Check the DOL WARN resources​
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​If You’re Job Hunting and Need H-1B Sponsorship

USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub

Instead of relying only on job descriptions that say “visa sponsorship available,” applicants can use USCIS data to research which employers have actually filed H-1B petitions and review their historical petition activity.

​Explore the H-1B Employer Data Hub​

Department of Labor FLAG / LCA Data

Labor Condition Application data can help job seekers research employers, job titles, locations and wages associated with H-1B filings, making it useful for identifying companies with a real history of sponsoring international talent.

​Explore DOL FLAG resources​
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👉 Want to put yourself in front of 40,000+ high-skilled immigrants? Just hit reply to start a conversation.

Until next week, stay awesome.

Yours truly,

Team Open Atlas 💙

💡 None of the information shared in this newsletter is meant to be legal advice. If you're looking for legal advice, speak to a lawyer.

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