The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is the Republic of South Sudan, regardless of country of birth (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in South Sudan), and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. The notice is effective March 3, 2022, through November 3, 2023.
The Federal Register notice from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announcing the suspension explained that an eligible F-1 nonimmigrant student may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status. The notice states that DHS will deem such a student who receives employment authorization to be engaged in a “full course of study” for the duration of the employment authorization if the student satisfies the minimum course load requirement described in the notice.
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