News and Alerts

Posted April 21, 2025

Please use this document as guidance regarding traveling outside the United States as a green card holder, H-1B/J-1 visa holder. 

  

Green Card Holders

  

In general, a green card holder does not need to apply for admission to the U.S. This means that a green card holder does not need to prove they are eligible to enter the U.S. There are a few exceptions to this general rule, including if immigration services believe the green card holder may have abandoned their green card status or if the individual has committed certain crimes (in or out of the U.S.).

  • Absence Duration: If a green card holder is outside the U.S. for 6 consecutive months, there is a rebuttable presumption of abandonment of residency. If the green card holder is outside the U.S. for 12 consecutive months, the presumption is irrebuttable. 

  • Summer Breaks: Faculty members who spend a few months at a time (such as during their summer breaks) outside the U.S. should travel with a letter from joker app confirming the dates of summer break and verifying employment in the U.S. The faculty member should also have proof of a physical residence in the U.S. (e.g., mortgage statement, lease agreement).

 

Nonimmigrant Visa Holders (H-1B)

  

Nonimmigrant visa holders (i.e., H-1B) must apply for admission every time they enter the U.S. This means they must prove their admissibility to the U.S. each time they enter. The time spent outside the U.S. is less important, as the H-1B does not require a specific period of time in the U.S.

  • Employment Verification: An employment verification letter is helpful to confirm that the H-1B visa remains valid. Additionally, visa holders should travel with recent paystubs and/or the most recent W-2 to demonstrate compliance with the visa. 

  

J-1 Visa Holders

Postdocs and research scholars should complete the out of the country request form before traveling outside the U.S. to receive guidance regarding their travel request. 

Criminal Records

  

For any foreign national with a criminal record, we recommend speaking with an immigration attorney to confirm there are no admissibility issues. Some crimes, like simple possession of marijuana, do not make a person deportable from the U.S. but do make the person, including a green card holder, inadmissible. This is causing problems for green card holders who are being detained upon returning to the U.S. due to past criminal cases that render them inadmissible. Additionally, it is important for foreign nationals to understand that the successful completion of deferred adjudication may keep someone’s criminal record clean but does not erase the crime for immigration purposes. 

  

Travel Bans

  

While travel bans are not effective yet, citizens of countries that may be affected by travel bans should assess additional risks. As a reference, the 2016 travel bans did not affect green card holders. However, we cannot predict how a possible travel ban may affect U.S. permanent residents, especially those from red-listed countries. 

Posted April 17, 2025

 

Please note that effective April 11, 2025, USCIS has ruled that young immigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. are required to register or “re-register” with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday. This applies even to individuals who have previously registered and were issued a form I-94 when they were admitted to the United States.

 

This rule may affect F-2, J-2 and H-4 dependents and young F-1 and J-1 students who have entered the country before the age of 14. For more information about this process, please visit the USCIS website regarding the .

Posted April 17, 2025

Click to view the 'Know Your Rights' resource.

Posted on April 9, 2025

"Under this guidance, USCIS will consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests. This guidance is effective immediately."

 

For more information on this guidance, please visit the USCIS website . 

 

Posted on March 28, 2025

An INA 212(f) "travel ban" is anticipated soon, according to various media sources. While media reports have suggested several countries that might be affected in this initial round, there have been no official government announcements detailing which countries will be included or the extent of the bans.

At this time, there are no known travel restrictions or bans; however, official guidance or travel bans may be issued at any time without notice. Students and Scholars should avoid traveling if they fear they may be affected by anticipated travel bans. Students or Scholars who choose to travel do so at their own discretion and assume all associated risks. More information can be found .


The ISSS office will keep all stakeholders informed as more information becomes available. Please don't hesitate to reach out to an ISSS Advisor/DSO or ARO if you have questions or concerns about your specific case.

 

 

Posted on February 7, 2025

This page will provide updates about current executive orders impacting immigration and international education.

 

Executive Orders (Immigration/International Education)

Order #14161: Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats

Topic: Increased Vetting and Screening of Aliens Seeking Admission to the United States, or Who Are Already in the United States
Facts: Additional administrative processing time for visas, additional information required for any benefits applied for by students or any nationals, increased administrative and processing times for individuals from regions considered security risks, etc. 
What this means: There may be delays in issuing student and scholar visas from citizens from certain regions. It is critical that we work in a timely manner to admit students who have met admissions criteria to process I20s and DS2019 in a timely manner. 

Executive Order 14169

Topic: Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid
Facts: It mandates a 90-day pause on new foreign development assistance obligations and disbursements of funds to foreign countries and implementing non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and contractors.
What this means: This executive order could impact international education programs, research collaborations and grants that rely on U.S. foreign aid. 

Executive Order #14188 reaffirms Executive Order 13899

Topic: Combating Anti-Semitism and International Students' Ability to Protest
What the Order Says (section 2): It describes a general policy of the administration to combat anti-Semitism and hold accountable perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence. 
Facts: This order directs several agencies to guide colleges to report activities by foreign students and staff engaged in anti-Semitic behavior or supportive of terrorism. 
What It Means: International students participating in protests that are deemed to engage in anti-Semitic behavior or support of terrorism could face deportation by the government. 

Other Developments:

Topic: Sensitive Locations Policy
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded a long-standing policy that identified schools, hospitals, and churches as "sensitive locations" and limited immigration enforcement actions at these sites. As a result, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will no longer treat these sensitive locations, including college campuses, differently from other locations.
Facts: School administrators may be required to comply with this policy if appropriate judicial warrants are presented during a potential ICE visit. 

 

Sources:

 

Posted December 11, 2024

Dear Students,

Some of you have inquired about travel risks due to the upcoming change in the presidential administration. As of today, there are no updates regarding anticipated travel restrictions for international students and exchange visitors. Any updates to travel policies introduced by a new administration would likely be announced after the inauguration on January 20, 2025. 

As you prepare to travel, ensure you have all the required and recommended documentation listed below.

 

For New Students: New students should plan to arrive to the U.S. by January 16, 2025 to attend orientation. 

  • Valid signed SEVIS I-20/DS2019 document

  • Valid passport

  • Valid F-1/J-1 visa stamp

  • Proof of SEVIS I901 fee

 

For Continuing Students:

Continuing students should plan to return to the U.S. with ample time to prepare for the start of classes for the Spring 2025 semester. Most programs will begin on January 21, 2025; however, some programs may begin classes earlier. 

  • Valid signed SEVIS I-20/DS2019 document

  • Valid travel endorsement

  • Valid passport

  • Valid F-1/J-1 visa stamp

Recommended (but not required):

  • Copy of your school schedule for the spring semester

  

For students on OPT: We recommend avoiding travel while working in Optional Practical Training. If travel is necessary, you must have:

  • Valid I-20

  • Valid F-1 visa stamp

  • Valid passport

  • Valid Employment Authorization Document (OPT card)

  • Proof of employment

  • Ensure your I-20 document is accurate and that the work authorization dates match your EAD card.

Posted December 11, 2024

Dear Exchange Visitors/Scholars: 

Some of you have inquired about travel risks due to the upcoming change in the presidential administration. As of today, there are no updates regarding anticipated travel restrictions for international students and exchange visitors. Any updates to travel policies introduced by a new administration would likely be announced after the inauguration on January 20, 2025. 

As you prepare to travel, ensure you have all the required and recommended documentation listed below.

J-1 scholars - Please be prepared to have the following documents:

Exchange Visitors should plan to arrive to the U.S. by the first day of their academic program as listed on the DS2019 document. 

  • Valid DS-2019

  • Valid travel endorsement

  • Valid J-1 visa stamp

  • Not required but recommended: Proof of research activities and/or appointment letter.

*Post-docs should not be absent from the country without prior permission from the responsible/alternate officer.

 

 

Posted December 11, 2024
 
Dear Exchange Visitors, 

The U.S. Department of State announced an update to the Exchange Visitor Skills List, effective December 9, 2024. This update removes some countries including Bangladesh, China, India, South Korea, Turkey, and more from the skills list. These changes significantly impact some J-1 visa holders who were previously subject to the 212(e)-home residency requirement based on the skills list.
 
Immediate Impact
Exchange Visitors whose country has been removed from the skills list and were subject to the 212(e)-home residency requirement on the sole basis of the skills list are no longer subject, effective December 9, 2024, and are now able to change status from J-1 to an H, K, L, NIV, IV, or LPR status.
 
 
Who is not impacted?
Exchange Visitors will remain subject to the 212(e)-home residency requirement if they meet any of the following conditions:
  1. They are from a country and are participating in a program that is still listed on the skills list;
  2. Their program is funded, in part or entirely, by the U.S. government, their home country’s government, or an international organization; or
  3. They are receiving graduate medical education or training.
 
Relevant Regulation
9 FAM 302.13-2(B)(1)  (U) Individuals Subject to INA 212(e)

(1)  (U) Certain J-1 exchange visitors are subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement of INA 212(e) (see 9 FAM 402.5-6(M)(1)).  These exchange visitors must reside and be physically present in their country of nationality or last legal permanent residence for an aggregate of at least two years following completion of the exchange program and departure from the United States.  If the exchange visitor’s country of nationality differs from their country of last legal permanent residence, then they are required to return to the country of their legal permanent residence at the time they obtained J status.  These exchange visitors are ineligible to apply for or receive an H, K, or L NIV, nor are they eligible for an IV or LPR status until they have either complied with the foreign residence requirement or received a waiver.
 
(2)  (U) The following categories of exchange visitors (and their accompanying dependents in J-2 status) are subject to the foreign residence requirement:
 
(a)  (U) Individuals participating in an exchange program financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by an agency of the U.S. Government, the individual’s home government (the government of the country of their nationality or last legal permanent residence), or an international organization which received funding from the U.S. Government or their home government;
(b)  (U) Individuals whose exchange program involves an area of study or field of specialized knowledge that has been designated as necessary for further development of their home countries on the Exchange Visitor Skills List in effect at the time they were admitted to the United States in or acquired, J status; or
(c)  (U) Individuals who entered the United States to receive graduate medical education or training.
 
J-1 exchange visitors who have questions regarding this update, should reach out to ISSS at internationalscholars@smu.edu for assistance.

Posted: February 29, 2024

USCIS Announces Fee Increases and Changes in Premium Processing

 

On January, 31, 2024, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule that would increase certain filing fees.This will impact students applying forpre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, and/or STEM OPT as well as change of status.

 

Highlights:

  • I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing):

  • Previous Fee: $410

  • New Fee: $470

  • Increase: 15%

  • I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing):

  • Previous Fee: $410

  • New Fee: $520

  • Increase: 27%

  • I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing):

  • Previous Fee: $370

  • New Fee: $420

  • Increase: 14%

  • I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing):

  • Previous Fee: $370

  • New Fee: $470

  • Increase: 27%

 

New fees will be effective April 1, 2024. There will be no grace period for new fees. USCIS will use the postmark date of filing to determine the correct fee rate but will use the received date for filing deadlines and for when the premium processing clock starts.

 

Premium Processing Fee:Effective Feb. 26, 2024, premium processing fees will increase from $1,500 to $1,685 (). The ruling also revises the timeframe of premium processing from calendar days to business days.

 

Questions about this ruling? USCIS has posted an  on this proposed fee rule.

Questions about applying for OPT? Visit our website or join us for advising.

Wednesday Wisdom Webinar Series

  • Wednesday Wisdom Webinar - April 9

    Date: April 9, 2025

    Time: 4:00 PM

    Join us for an informative session hosted by Claudia Hart, Executive Director of ISSS, to learn the essentials of maintaining your F-1 or J-1 visa status. 

    We'll also discuss recent policy changes and executive orders that impact international students and scholars.

     

    Registration closed.

  • Wednesday Wisdom Webinar - April 23

    Date: April 23, 2025

    Time: 4:00 PM

    Join us for weekly sessions hosted by Claudia Hart, Executive Director of the International Student and Scholar Services Office. These sessions will provide a space for sharing updates on immigration policies and answering questions from students and scholars.

  • Wednesday Wisdom Webinar - April 30

    Date: April 30, 2025

    Time: 4:00 PM

    Join us for weekly sessions hosted by Claudia Hart, Executive Director of the International Student and Scholar Services Office. These sessions will provide a space for sharing updates on immigration policies and answering questions from students and scholars.

     

  • Wednesday Wisdom Webinar - May 7

    Date: May 7, 2025

    Time: 4:00 PM

    Join us for weekly sessions hosted by Claudia Hart, Executive Director of the International Student and Scholar Services Office. These sessions will provide a space for sharing updates on immigration policies and answering questions from students and scholars.