The federal government is expected to phase out Special Student Relief (SSR) designations at the end of the month, eliminating visa-study flexibilities that previously suspended certain enrollment and course-load requirements for eligible international students from crisis-affected countries. SSR has been tightened repeatedly, with 15 designations expiring without renewal since January 2025. A remaining SSR designation for students from Lebanon is set to expire May 27. Advocates say the removal increases barriers for students affected by displacement and conflict and could force students into compliance deadlines that may not match conditions in their home countries. For U.S. colleges, this raises immediate compliance workload for international student offices and increases risk of enrollment disruption if students need extensions or alternative documentation during crisis volatility.