Four immigration developments this week could directly affect F-1 students, green card applicants, and the employers sponsoring them. Boundless Immigration's August 21 weekly roundup captured the key stories — here's what they mean for you.

Key Points

  • What: Four major immigration developments: a lawsuit over F-1/J-1 status rules, a new I-485 form, TPS ending for Ethiopians, and a DOJ PERM settlement
  • Who: F-1 and J-1 students, green card applicants adjusting status, Ethiopian TPS holders, and employers filing PERM labor certifications
  • When: F-1/J-1 rule takes effect September 15, 2026; new I-485 becomes mandatory September 18, 2026
  • Impact: F-1 students may face fixed four-year admission windows instead of open-ended status; green card applicants must use the new I-485 form or risk rejection

Universities Fight the Four-Year F-1 Status Rule

The biggest story for international students: a coalition of universities, higher education organizations, and labor unions has filed a federal lawsuit to block a Trump administration rule that would replace "duration of status" (D/S) with fixed four-year admission periods for F-1 and J-1 visa holders, according to Boundless.

Right now, F-1 students are admitted for "duration of status" — meaning they can stay as long as they maintain valid student status, with no hard expiration date stamped on their entry record. The new rule would replace that with a four-year window, after which students would need to seek an extension or re-entry.

Plaintiffs argue this would create serious bureaucratic burdens, discourage international enrollment, and hurt employers who depend on international talent. They are asking a court to halt the rule before its reported September 15, 2026 effective date. Whether the court grants that relief is not yet clear.

New I-485 Form: Mandatory September 18, No Grace Period

If you're adjusting status to permanent resident (getting a green card while inside the U.S.), USCIS is releasing a new version of Form I-485. According to Boundless, it becomes mandatory on September 18, 2026 — with zero grace period. Submitting the old form after that date means rejection.

The key changes are concentrated in the public charge section: new questions, a revised benefits disclosure table, and less explanatory guidance in the instructions than before. The rest of the form is largely the same.

DOJ's $3.2M OpenAI PERM Settlement: A Warning for All Employers

Employers sponsoring workers for green cards through the PERM process (a Department of Labor recruitment certification required before most employment-based green card filings) should pay attention. Boundless reported that the Justice Department reached a $3.2 million settlement with OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig over allegations that their PERM recruitment practices discriminated against U.S. workers.

What makes this notable: the case covered fewer than 10 PERM positions. The settlement includes civil penalties, back pay, policy revisions, and three years of government monitoring. The message from DOJ is clear — even small PERM programs are not beneath scrutiny.

TPS for Ethiopians Ends

A federal judge allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 5,000 Ethiopians in the U.S., according to Boundless citing BBC reporting. TPS is a humanitarian protection that shields certain nationals from deportation and grants work authorization when conditions in their home country are dangerous. Affected Ethiopians now face removal unless they qualify for another immigration status. A constitutional challenge to the termination is reportedly ongoing.

What You Should Do

F-1 and J-1 students: Watch the court closely. The September 15 effective date may be blocked by litigation — but it may not. Talk to your international student office now about how a four-year fixed period would affect your program timeline.

Green card applicants (adjustment of status): If you plan to file Form I-485, do not use any old version after September 17. Download the new form directly from USCIS starting September 18 and review the updated public charge questions carefully before signing.

Employers filing PERM petitions: Audit your recruitment documentation and policies now. The OpenAI case shows DOJ is willing to pursue even small-scale PERM programs that deviate from required recruitment standards.

Ethiopian TPS holders: Consult an immigration attorney immediately to explore whether you qualify for any other status — your work authorization and protection from removal are at risk.