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April 25, 2025: Class-action lawsuits, temporary restraining orders, & reinstated student visa records FAQ
The media has been reporting on various lawsuits, including class-action lawsuits, and resulting temporary restraining orders to stop the termination of immigration status and revocation of visas of international students.The government has reactivated some terminated international student SEVIS records nationally, including some at 91´«Ă˝. ISSS is monitoring this situation closely and informing impacted students whose immigration status has been reactivated.See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) belo...
April 24, 2025: Applications for immigration benefits & visa stamps: Review of social media & antisemitic activities FAQ
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 9, 2025, that they would begin considering an individual’s “antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests.” Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released an internal cable requiring a mandatory social media check for certain student (F, M, and J) visa applicants. These actions are related to two of President Trump’s executive ...
REAL ID requirement for domestic travel in the U.S. FAQ
Effective May 7, 2025, travelers in the U.S. must present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board domestic flights. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help you prepare for this new requirement.Since this is a new requirement, there may be additional updates or exceptions as implementation progresses. ISSS is actively monitoring this issue and will include updates in our e-newsletter as more information becomes available.What is aREAL ID?A REAL ID is a state-issue...
April 17, 2025: Registration requirement for dependents who turn 14 years old FAQ
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a rule on March 12, 2025, announcing a new registration requirement. Among other things, the new rule requires minor dependents in nonimmigrant visa status – such as but not limited to F-2, J-2 and H-4 status – to register with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when they turn 14 years old.See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) below for more information. FAQs are based on currently available information and relate only to this rule.Freque...
April 8, 2025: Concerns about international student and/or scholar visa revocations
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and campus leadership are aware that the federal government’s terminations of international students’ visa status throughout the country are causing anxiety and uncertainty among international students and scholars. Recently, the CU System office issued this statement regarding recent student visa terminations impacting our community. On our campus, the ISSS team is working diligently to provide information and direct support to any impacted students and the...
March 18, 2025: Serious considerations if traveling outside of the United States FAQ
International students and scholars planning to travel outside the United States should carefully consider the complexities of U.S. immigration laws. ISSS, with support from university and campus leadership, urges international visa holders to consider potential future policy changes—such as travel bans currently being reported in the media—that could impact their return.See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) below for details. As of this writing, ISSS does not have any official information released by th...
March 11, 2025: Furloughs & impact on international visitors & employees FAQ
Furloughs - temporary unpaid leaves of absence - can have significant implications for international employees and visitors on various U.S. visa types. The impact depends on the visa category, such as H-1B, J-1, TN, or F-1, as many employment-based visas require continuous employment to maintain legal status. Understanding these complexities is crucial to ensuring compliance with US immigration laws and avoiding unintended consequences.See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) below for details. As of this w...
February 5, 2025: Antisemitism & impact on universities FAQ
Presidential Executive Order Regarding Additional Measures to Combat AntisemitismPresident Trump issued anexecutive orderon Jan. 29, 2025, which in part requested within 60 days of the order the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide reports to the President:identifying relevant authorities and actions to curb or combat antisemitism in the United States andmaking recommendations to the president on how to “familiarize” institutions of higher educati...
February 5, 2025: U.S. immigration documents must indicate biological sex of male or female FAQ
Presidential Executive Order Regarding Gender IdeologyPresident Trump issued anexecutive orderon Jan. 20, 2025, requiring, among other things, that federal agencies make changes so that U.S. government-issued identification documents, including passports,visas, andGlobal Entry cards, reflect the holder’s “sex” not “gender, ” and referring to “sex” as “an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female” and not as one’s gender identity. The order provides that “[i]t is the policy of...
January 31, 2025: Laken Riley Act becomes law FAQ
President Trump signed amendments tothe Laken Riley Act into lawon Jan. 29, requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain individuals unlawfully present in the United States who have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or have admitted to having committed acts of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. These offenses are in addition to any “assault of a law enforcement officer offense or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.”See the frequent...
January 23, 2025: Increased review and screening for U.S. immigration benefits FAQ
Presidential Executive Order Establishing Enhanced Vetting and Screening of Individuals Seeking U.S. Immigration BenefitsPresident Trump issued anexecutive order on Jan. 20 instituting increased review of applications for U.S. immigration benefits including visas and admission to the United States.See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) below for details about this new requirement. Please note that FAQs are based on the currently available information in and related to the proclamation. Frequently Asked Qu...
Carry immigration documents & report changes of address
Recent presidential executive orders have resulted in increased focus on immigration compliance. Given this, it is important to highlight two general requirements to maintain lawful immigration status.Nonimmigrants (visa holders) and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are required by law to:Carry their immigration registrationReport residential address changes within 10 daysLegal Requirement to Carry Immigration Registration DocumentTo comply with this legal requirement, nonimmigrants and lawfu...
Dec 12, 2025: Updated Exchange Visitor Skills List released
On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State released an updated Exchange Visitor Skills List.The Skills List is one of the factors used to determine whether a J-1 exchange visitor and their dependents, if applicable, are subject to the 212(e) two-year home country physical presence requirement.What is the Skills List?The Skills List identifies countries that the U.S. government deems to have a critical need for individuals with specialized knowledge or skills in certain fields. If you are a citizenor ...