Thousands of international education professionals gathered in Orlando, Florida, for the 2026 NAFSA Annual Conference amid growing uncertainty surrounding U.S. immigration and international student policies. Held at the Orange County Convention Center, the conference became a critical forum for discussions on the future of international education in the United States under evolving federal regulations.

A central concern throughout the conference was the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed termination of the long-standing “duration of status” policy, which currently allows international students to remain in the United States until they complete their academic programs. Under the proposed regulation, students would instead be limited to a fixed four-year stay unless they obtain extensions. Numerous sessions addressing the proposal drew exceptionally large audiences, reflecting widespread anxiety among institutions and international student advisers.

Participants also voiced concerns regarding possible restrictions on Optional Practical Training (OPT), the continued impact of travel bans, and the broader tightening of immigration policies affecting global student mobility. Many educators expressed frustration over the lack of clear federal guidance and the uncertainty these policy developments have created for both institutions and students.

Anthony Ogden, founder and managing director of Gateway International Group, noted that policy ambiguity dominated discussions throughout the conference. He observed that many professionals were deeply concerned about the implications these changes could have on international enrollment, institutional planning, and the future of the profession itself.

The conference also reflected the lingering effects of recent federal actions targeting international students. Attendees referenced the Trump administration’s 2025 termination of thousands of SEVIS records, disruptions in visa interview scheduling, and a sharp decline in new international student visas, which reportedly fell by more than 35 percent year over year last summer.

Legal experts participating in immigration panels emphasized that significant uncertainty remains regarding how the proposed duration-of-status rule will ultimately be implemented. Attorneys encouraged institutions to begin preparing operational strategies while acknowledging that many aspects of the regulation remain unresolved.

Several participants additionally expressed concern that university leadership has not fully recognized the seriousness of the proposed policy changes, particularly for graduate and professional programs that commonly exceed four years in duration.

Notably absent from the conference were representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, despite invitations to participate in multiple immigration-related sessions. NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw described the absence as indicative of a broader shift in federal engagement with stakeholders in international education. While officials from the U.S. Department of State attended certain sessions related to exchange visitor programs, many attendees viewed the lack of direct dialogue with immigration authorities as troubling.

Overall, the 2026 NAFSA Conference underscored a period of profound uncertainty for international education in the United States. As institutions continue to navigate changing immigration policies and declining international enrollment, educators emphasized the urgent need for clearer federal communication, stronger institutional advocacy, and sustained support for global academic exchange.

(Inside Higher Ed, June 3, 2026)