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Dear students, Many of you may have heard the news from last week that U.S. District Court vacated the rule allowing for OPT STEM extensions for F-1 students. This decision was made based on the fact that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not follow proper procedure for making the rule back in 2008 (they did not submit the rule for comment before finalizing it). Many students have expressed concern over what this court ruling means for their current, pending or future eligibility to work using the OPT STEM extension benefit. The government has until February 12, 2016, to appeal the decision and submit the rule for comment. Until that time students may continue to work on their STEM OPT employment authorization, and they may also apply for the STEM extension of their OPT, if otherwise eligible. The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing the ruling, and we expect that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (part of DHS) will notify schools of impact on our students, if any. We do not anticipate that this will have a negative impact for international students. However we cannot predict what will happen after February, and we cannot guarantee that there won't be future changes. For now, please try not to worry about the recent ruling, and know that we will keep you updated on any changes to the OPT benefit to come. For more information on the OPT Stem extension benefit, please see: http://isss.uconn.edu/students/current-students/current-students-stem-opt-extension/ Thank you, Rae Alexander Assistant Director, International Student & Scholar Services UConn Global Affairs International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) 2011 HILLSIDE ROAD, U-1083 STORRS, CT 06269-1083 PHONE: 860.486.3855 | FAX: 860.486.5800 EMAIL: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> http://isss.uconn.edu<http://isss.uconn.edu/> Arthur Galinat Assistant Director, International Student & Scholar Services UConn Global Affairs International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) 2011 HILLSIDE ROAD, U-1083 STORRS, CT 06269-1083 PHONE: 860.486.3855 | FAX: 860.486.5800 EMAIL: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> http://isss.uconn.edu<http://isss.uconn.edu/> | www.facebook.com/UConnISSS<http://www.facebook.com/UConnISSS> | Appointments: http://www.advapp.uconn.edu/ > ISSS Chair, Region XI NAFSA: Association of International Educators