U.S. Department of Homeland Security Ends Special Student Relief for Crisis-Affected Countries
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has ceased the renewal of Special Student Relief (SSR) for students from 14 countries experiencing humanitarian, economic, or political crises. This program, which temporarily suspends certain visa rules, allows affected students to work off-campus and take reduced course loads due to financial and emotional hardships. The last remaining country under this designation, Lebanon, is set to lose its status later this month amidst ongoing conflict with Israel and Hezbollah. The SSR program has historically provided critical support to students from countries like Afghanistan, Somalia, and Ukraine, enabling them to manage tuition costs and support their families. The decision to end these benefits marks a significant policy shift, as extensions were typically routine and published quietly in the Federal Register. 
