DHS moves to axe 60-day grace period for visa workers who lose job

Published September 10, 2026 3:00pm ET



The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to end an Obama-era policy that gives immigrant workers with expiring visas a 60-day grace period before they have to leave the country.

If adopted, the proposed rule, set to be officially published in the Federal Register on Friday, would axe the grace period and require immigrants to leave the country immediately once their visa expires. The rule would be applicable to immigrant workers with E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN nonimmigrant visas, plus their dependents.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.