GW Weekly Federal Update (November 6)

GW Updates

• Late last week, the university’s Federal Matters Working Group gathered for its first meeting. The working group—comprising faculty and members of the administration and Office of General Counsel—is charged with providing input on GW’s possible responses to issues recently raised by the federal government in its resolution agreements with other universities. This work is highly sensitive and consequently is under attorney-client privilege, which is a new level of involvement for faculty at GW and allows the university to benefit from those with particular expertise.
  
  The working group was formed in response to findings made by the U.S. Department of Justice, as shared previously, regarding its investigation of allegations of antisemitism on the university's campus. The findings primarily focus on the Spring 2024 encampment on University Yard. We were not asked to answer any specific questions or provide any information in relation to this investigation. We have responded to the DOJ that we are willing to meet with them to discuss their conclusion and potential next steps, and we are now waiting to hear back from them.
   
• In response to feedback from students and other community members, the university has installed new signage in the University Student Center that informs members of the public that selected floors are open only to GWorld Card holders and their guests, as these areas are intended to be GW community-centered, nonpublic space. The new signage aims to provide students with a greater sense of safety and security, particularly as we have heard concerns about the recent increase in federal personnel on or near the Foggy Bottom Campus. The signs are placed on the lower level, ground, second, fourth and fifth floors. The first floor remains open to the public.
  
  University leadership has been in close communication with National Guard leadership and has been clear about our expectations with respect to our policies and private university property. We will continue to communicate any concerns received promptly with the Guard for further discussion. Since our last meeting with the Guard, we are not aware of instances of the Guard in GW's buildings. We encourage any students with concerns moving forward to contact GWPD directly at 202-994-6110. The university also has a resource available that addresses unannounced visits from federal personnel such as the Guard as well as specific guidance related to ICE.
   
• On Nov. 5, the university unveiled a new Federal Update website to keep the GW community better informed and supported through an ever-evolving federal landscape. The one-stop site brings together key information related to federal developments and their impact on GW and a wide range of support and resources available to students, faculty, staff, and researchers. Also available is a comprehensive FAQs page addressing the most common questions from the GW community. We encourage members of the community to share their feedback on the updated site or ask a question about a recent federal development by federal [dot] updategwu [dot] edu (contacting) the Federal Update team.

Recent Federal Actions

Government Shutdown

• The federal government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. Lawmakers in both parties continue to hold informal discussions on a potential deal to reopen the government, with discussions centered on funding levels and health care-related provisions. Senate Democrats have renewed calls for an agreement addressing rising health care costs, while a bipartisan group of senators is exploring options to end the shutdown, finalize full-year fiscal 2026 appropriations, and schedule votes on Affordable Care Act subsidies.
  
  Meanwhile, the shutdown has created uncertainty for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to more than 42 million Americans, including many college students. Following federal court orders, the Trump administration announced it will release partial SNAP benefits, though the funding is expected to cover only about half of normal payments. 
  
  If you are a GW student impacted by SNAP benefit delays or experiencing food insecurity, GW’s on-campus food pantry offers free access to fresh food, dry goods, and hygiene items in a safe and welcoming environment. Find more information on The Store’s website.

Visas and International Employees

• On October 29, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an interim final rule that will end its current practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents (EADs) for foreign nationals who file renewal applications based on certain employment authorization categories. Beginning with renewal applications filed on or after October 30, most foreign nationals who previously qualified for the maximum 540-day automatic extension of work authorization will no longer receive an automatic EAD extension. The elimination of automatic extensions affects foreign nationals in numerous employment authorization categories who previously could rely on their expired EADs remaining valid for up to 540 days while renewal applications were pending.
  
  These categories include but are not limited to:

  • Refugees and Asylum-Related Categories;
  • I-485 Adjustment of Status Applicants (i.e., green card applicants);
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, unless a Federal Register notice provides for automatic extension of EADs;
  • Dependent Spouses: Spouses of certain nonimmigrant workers, including H-4 spouses of H1B workers;
  • VAWA Self-Petitioners; and
  • Individuals with applications for cancellation of removal, suspension of deportation, withholding of removal, certain family unity beneficiaries, and various other discretionary employment authorization categories.
     

  While most EAD categories as listed above will lose the 540-day automatic extension for renewal applications filed on or after October 30, F-1 OPT and STEM OPT students are not affected.
  
  To avoid or minimize a potential gap in employment, individuals with affected EADs should file their EAD extension application as early as possible. EAD extension applications can generally be filed up to 6 months (180 days) before the current EAD card expires.
  
  GW employees who may be impacted by the interim final rule are encouraged to consult with qualified immigration law counsel. Questions about your current I-9 status may also be directed by hrisgwu [dot] edu (email to GW Human Resource Information Systems).

Department of Education

• On October 31, the Department of Education released a final rule revising the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to exclude employers engaged in activities deemed “illegal” or indicative of a “substantial illegal purpose.” These include aiding violations of federal immigration laws, supporting terrorism, performing unlawful medical procedures on minors, trafficking children across state lines for emancipation, or engaging in patterns of illegal discrimination or state law violations. The final rule, effective July 1, 2026, follows a March executive order by President Trump directing the department to revise PSLF eligibility criteria. 
  
  While the administration argues the change ensures benefits go only to organizations serving the public good, higher education and nonprofit advocates have criticized the rule as vague and beyond the department’s authority. A coalition of more than a dozen state attorneys general, including D.C.’s, filed a lawsuit challenging the rule, arguing that it violates congressional intent, the Administrative Procedure Act, and existing law. A separate suit from a group of cities, labor unions, and nonprofits similarly contests the policy’s legality and scope.

Updates Related to Other Universities

• MIT: On October 21, the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the district court in Massachusetts granting MIT’s motion to dismiss a complaint alleging that in failing to take sufficient action to address anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian student protests MIT acted with deliberate indifference toward Jewish students in violation of Title VI.  The appellate court held that many of the incidents of alleged antisemitism fell within the protection of the First Amendment. The court also noted that MIT had undertaken a series of progressively evolving actions in response to the protests, including revising expression policies, erecting fences around an encampment, suspending student-group privileges, and requiring protestors to vacate an area by a set time or face discipline, and accordingly, MIT’s handling of this “challenging situation” was “simply not indifferent.” 

Federal Grants and Research

• As has been previously reported, the Trump Administration has frozen millions of dollars of federal grant funds at Cornell, Northwestern, Duke, and Princeton Universities.  According to media reports, neither Cornell, Northwestern nor Princeton received formal notification as to why grant funds had been frozen, and funds have not been restored despite various attempts by the universities to engage with the Trump Administration.  

Higher Education Advocacy

• On October 24, the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the administration’s new $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa petitions. The complaint argues that the fee violates the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, exceeds presidential authority, and harms U.S. universities and businesses that rely on international talent.
  
  AAU also submitted comments urging the Department of Homeland Security to withdraw its proposed rule establishing a weighted H-1B lottery that favors higher-wage applicants. AAU warned that the rule would disadvantage early-career professionals and international STEM graduates educated in the U.S., undermining national competitiveness in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. 

Resources and Reminders

About this Newsletter

GW publishes this weekly Federal Update to inform students, faculty and staff about how developments in the federal government affect higher education generally and the University. This newsletter includes timely information, answers to questions from GW community members, and resources for support.