The Center for Disease Control (CDC) published a final rule on May 27, 2026. The rule establishes a framework for suspending the entry of individuals from designated countries or regions affected by diseases. The rule is effective on June 26, 2026.

This new foreign quarantine rule doesn’t impose restrictions automatically. Rather, it creates a framework for imposing restrictions when public health safety mandates it. The rule allows the CDC to restrict entry for individuals from restricted regions.

Creation of the foreign quarantine rule is a response to a 2026 Ebola outbreak affecting the following countries:

• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• Uganda.
• At-risk regions in South Sudan.

Key CDC concerns include:

• Cross-border spread due to global travel.
• The disease’s two-to-twenty-one-day incubation period, allowing for asymptomatic travel.
• No widely available vaccine or treatment for this strain of Ebola.

Key authority changes include:

• A formalized process for:
  • Identifying affected regions.
  • Issuing suspension orders.
  • Coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Applying restrictions to individuals who:
  • Originate from affected regions.
  • Recently traveled through affected regions or impacted transit hubs.

This framework is only in place for six months. It expires on December 22, 2026.

As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.