If you have been counting down to September 15, you can stop. The deadline that international students across Orange County were racing toward did not arrive.
One day before the new rule was set to take effect, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction in Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. DHS, postponing it while the case moves forward. The rule did not take effect on September 15, 2026, and no new effective date has been set.
This is a pause, not a cancellation. The case is still open, and the rule could return later in some form.
F-1 students remain on duration of status, the same framework that has been in place for decades. In practical terms, that means:
Your admission is tied to your program on your Form I-20, not to a fixed calendar date. There is no four-year ceiling. English language programs are not capped at 24 months. And you do not need to file Form I-539 with a fee and biometrics simply to keep studying.
Every one of those was part of the rule that is now on hold. We wrote about what it would have changed in our July guide to the end of duration of status.
Many visitors on a B-2 visa spent August trying to get a change of status filed before the deadline. Our August guide on filing before or after September 15 walked through that timing question. That specific pressure is gone.
What has not changed is everything else about the process. You still need a Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified school before you can file. You still file Form I-539 to request the change of status. You still may not begin studying until USCIS approves your application. And processing still takes months, so filing early in your authorized stay continues to matter.
The deadline disappeared. The paperwork did not.
American English Language School is SEVP-certified, which means we can issue the Form I-20 your change of status application requires. Our Irvine campus offers small-group English classes built around conversation, reading, writing, and real communication, so the English you study is the English you use at work, at school, and around town.
Students who are already here on F-1 status and thinking about transferring to us can read our step-by-step transfer guide.
Keep a copy of your most recent Form I-94 and check the admit until date on it. Talk to your designated school official before you change programs, take a leave, or travel abroad. And watch for updates, because a court pause can be lifted as quickly as it was granted.
If you are in Irvine and weighing a change of status, come talk to us. We can explain what enrolling looks like, what documents you would need, and how our levels work, with no pressure to decide on the spot.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change quickly. Confirm your situation with your designated school official and with the official sources at uscis.gov and studyinthestates.dhs.gov.
Learn more about our ESL programs at www.aels.edu or visit our AELS Irvine location on Google Maps to experience small-group English classes focused on conversation, confidence, and real-life communication.
Published on September 20, 2026
American English Language School (AELS) is a CEA-accredited and SEVP-approved English language school authorized to issue I-20 forms for international students. Located in Los Angeles, Orange County (Fullerton), and Irvine, California, AELS offers small classes, conversation-focused lessons, and proven results through individualized learning experiences. If you’re serious about improving your English, join AELS today!