Federal Friday
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Approves Indiana’s Returning Education to the States Waiver, Freeing Up Millions to Invest in Students
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Additional Partnerships to Strengthen Coordination for Individuals with Disabilities Programs, Bolster Civil Rights Enforcement
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Student Loan Interest Rate Reduction
Foreign Gifts and Contracts Disclosures
The Department of Education’s Proposed Revisions to Information Collection Request (ICR) on Foreign Gifts and Contracts Disclosures closed for comments on June 15, 2026.
If interested, you can review the following comment submissions from several national associations:
- Higher Education Stakeholder Letter: Comments on Education Department’s Proposed Revisions to Foreign Gifts and Contracts Disclosure
- Association of American Universities: Response to ED’s Proposed ICR on Foreign Gifts and Contracts Disclosures
$100,000 H-1B Fee Update
Currently, a coalition of state Attorneys General, including Wisconsin, is suing the federal government in Massachusetts regarding a $100,000 fee imposed on certain H-1B workers pursuant to a Presidential Proclamation on September 19, 2025. Although a federal judge struck down the fee on June 8, 2026, a stay of that ruling was granted until the appeals court can rule on a motion filed by the federal government.
Therefore, the federal government might require a $100,000 H-1B fee for certain H-1B petitions at this time.
We will continue to monitor the legal challenges to the H-1B payment policy and provide updates.
Political Activity Guidance Reminder
As a reminder, as uncertainty continues around the federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.
Activities such as sharing a petition or contacting a legislator for political purposes using your university email address or state resources to engage in political campaign activities at any time or engaging in political activities during work time are prohibited.
In your capacity as private citizens, on non-work time, and without use of university resources (including the use of university email addresses) employees may circulate or sign a petition or letter of support advocating for public policy or a political candidate. However, if using your name and official title, it should be made clear that an individual’s endorsement indicates neither support nor endorsement by the university of a particular policy position or candidate, and that you are acting solely in your role as a private citizen.
For more information, you can read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.
Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university’s Office of Legal Affairs.