Immigration Updates

The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) recommends that if you are in the U.S., here are a few important points to remember for an F-1 student, a J-1 student, scholar and dependents.

1. Carry your I-94 Record: By law, foreign nationals 18 years and older are required to carry proof of their immigration status ("registration") with them. Your Most Recent I-94 serves as this registration. Consider saving a screenshot of your Most Recent I-94 (not your travel history) on your phone for ease of use. If you would prefer not to provide access to your phone, you may carry print-out copies of your immigration documents.
   
   
2. Traveling by plane in the USA:
   International Students and Scholars, starting May 7, 2025, no one can board a U.S. domestic flight without a Real ID, including U.S. citizens. So, if your state-issued ID is not a REAL ID, you will need to bring your unexpired passport. Per TSA guidelines, MDOS requires an applicant to present a valid passport/valid visa combination to obtain a Real ID credential.
   
   The TSA website explains that international students and scholars can use their valid national passports or get a REAL ID issued by the Michigan Secretary of State's Office. CAUTION: However, if your passport has expired and you don't have a valid REAL ID, you will not be able to board a plane.

The ISSO will continue to monitor and inform you of any specific and relevant changes in policies or regulations. You are a valued part of Oakland University, and we are glad you are here!

Dear Faculty, Students and Staff,

As we approach the end of the academic year, many of you may be making travel plans and seeking guidance with respect to the potential risks associated with international travel. Please know that Oakland University is monitoring the situation closely and offers the following information to help you make informed decisions about the potential risks associated with your travel plans. Both national and international travel policies and practices may change quickly and at any time, so we encourage ongoing vigilance and preparation.

1. Assess the Risk of Travel

The risks associated with international travel will vary depending upon the ever-changing geo-political environment as well as the facts applicable to each individual traveler.  As you assess the risk of your own individual international travel, the following are some of the many factors that you should consider before departing from the United States:

• Your country of birth;
• Your country of citizenship;
• Your United States immigration status (e.g., United States citizen, United States naturalized citizen, permanent resident, non-immigrant visa holder, immigrant visa holder, refugee, etc.);
• Your visa type (e.g., F-1, J-1, H-1B, etc.);
• Your current I-94 status – those individuals with I-94 records should check your I-94 status at  https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/;
• Your I-20 or DS-2019 - those individuals in F-1 or J-1 status should verify that they have their most up-to-date and signed I-20 or DS-2019;
• Your intended international travel destinations;
• The purpose of your intended international travel;
• Whether you will need to renew your visa before returning to the United States;
• When your passport expires – your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end date of your approved status.  United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) may grant exceptions to this policy, but such exceptions are not guaranteed; 
• Any interactions you have had with law enforcement or the court system in the United States, including without limitation interactions such as traffic tickets, criminal charges, civil violations, or any other legal issues (note that even minor offenses or interactions with law enforcement may affect your ability to re-enter the United States).

In addition, you should regularly consult the United States Department of State’s website that includes, among other things, current travel advisories and other helpful information with respect to international travel.

Those individuals in H-1B, TN, OPT, or other employment-based status should be prepared to verify their continued employment when re-entering the United States (i.e., be able to present copies of recent paystubs).

2. Review Country-Specific Travel Categories

The United States government previously announced that it was immediately revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and preventing reissuance of those visas to prevent South Sudanese passport holders from entering the United States.  As of the date of this message, you will not be allowed to reenter the United States if you are traveling on a South Sudanese passport.  In addition, there have also been reports of individuals who were born in South Sudan, or who are currently citizens of South Sudan, encountering difficulties entering the United States. 

While the United States government has not issued any other official travel bans, media reports have indicated that the current administration is considering measures that would prohibit or significantly restrict citizens of the countries identified below from entering the United States.  It is not clear how dual nationals – those who may be a citizen of a restricted country as well as a citizen of a non-restricted country – might be affected.   

RED (Complete Restrictions):
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen

ORANGE (Partial Restrictions):
Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan

YELLOW (Under Temporary Review):
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe

Notwithstanding these designated countries and classifications, it is important to understand that re-entry into the United States is never guaranteed and re-entry may be denied depending on country specific and/or individual circumstances, even with valid documentation.

It is also important to understand that, if you are denied re-entry to the United States, there is likely nothing that the University can do to facilitate your re-entry.

3. Carry Required Documentation at Entry and After Returning to the U.S.

Foreign nationals are required to carry proof of registration or lawful status with them at ALL times.  Acceptable documentation includes but is not limited to:

• Identity Documents: Must be government issued such as a valid Foreign Passport, Driver’s License or other State Issued ID, Green Card/Permanent Resident Card or EAD Card
• Verification of Status Documents:
• F-1 students (and/or F-2) – valid signed Form I-20
• J-1 (and/or J-2) – valid signed Form DS-2019
• H-1B (and/or H-4) – valid current I-94 and/or Copy of the I-797A approval notice.
• TN – Current I-94 or TN Employment Letter
• All other noncitizens should carry any status-specific documentation where applicable.
• For those in an employment-based status is it is helpful, especially when seeking reentry, to carry proof of continued employment such as copies of recent paystubs or an employment verification letter.

For each U.S. entry, CBP electronically issues a new Form I-94, which is proof of lawful admission and should be carried while in the United States. Every time you travel, print and verify your Form I-94. If you believe that there is an error with your Form I-94, contact CBP for immediate correction to avoid problems when traveling or stopped. (Note: if you change status while in the U.S., you may be issued a new I-94 with the approval notice, form I-797A.) You can find more information on reviewing, printing and correcting your Form I-94 at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/help.

4. General Travel Precautions

Regardless of your country of citizenship, please be aware of the following additional information:

• Some travelers, regardless of citizenship, have experienced screening of phones, laptops, and social media accounts at ports of entry.
• In rare instances, travelers with valid visas have been denied re-entry into the United States due to “derogatory information” discovered during these checks.
• Consider reviewing your social media activity and posts (including shares and comments) prior to travel – for example, there have been reports of individuals who have “liked” or favorably commented on pro-Hamas/Palestinian or anti-Israel posts having been placed in secondary inspection and questioned about that conduct even if they may eventually be allowed to enter the United States.
• If questioned by CBP, you should only answer the questions you are asked.  Do not elaborate on things that you have not been asked. In addition, be honest – CBP typically asks questions where they know the answer; misrepresentations on your part could make you inadmissible.
• Please consult ISSOs General Travel This Summer message at on this page.

Final Note

We understand these travel restrictions may create uncertainty or anxiety. Please know that we will continue to monitor developments closely.

This guidance is not intended to provide legal advice.  We recommend that anyone planning to seek re-entry in the United States, particularly those individuals who may be affected by the South Sudan announcement and those individuals who are citizens of any of the Red, Orange or Yellow countries listed above, consult your immigration attorney for additional advice prior to leaving the United States.

We deeply value your presence and contributions to Oakland University and look forward to continuing to support your success.

As you may have heard, some international students and scholars across the United States and on OU’s campus have recently had their visas revoked and/or their SEVIS records terminated. The records are being terminated by the Department of the Homeland Security (DHS) often without notification to the universities or the affected individuals.

ISSO is checking the SEVIS system multiple times a day to see if there are terminations of any SEVIS records that were initiated by the Department of Homeland Security. When ISSO finds these terminations, it is reaching out to the affected individual immediately by email and by phone.   These terminations are for various reasons but most seem to be linked to a prior arrest or conviction and outstanding warrants. Media reports also suggest that some students and scholars around the United States have been terminated for political and protest activity.

There will be a dedicated ISSO Shares session Thursday, April17th, at 1 pm. Please use this link to join us.

We have prepared answers to frequently asked questions about the implications of visa revocations and SEVIS terminations.

• What should I do if I receive a Visa Revocation Letter?
  Please contact the International Students and Scholars office (ISSO) at [email protected] or call 248-370-3385 to inform us immediately so that one of our advisors can provide guidance and recommendations. It is very important to consult the ISSO office advisor without any delay.
  
  
• How will I know if my SEVIS record has been terminated?
  If your SEVIS record is terminated, you will be notified by the ISSO. We are reviewing SEVIS records multiple times a day to identify any SEVIS records that have been terminated by the Department of Homeland Security. If you have not heard from ISSO, your record has not been terminated.
  
  
• What should I do if ISSO notifies me that my SEVIS record has been terminated?
  If you receive this notification, please be sure to contact the ISSO so that one of our advisors can help you decide on next steps. If your SEVIS record has been terminated and you are employed either on campus or off campus it is important to stop work immediately.

Recommendations:

• Avoid unreliable sources of information.Social media and news outlets may not provide accurate information about policy changes nor address important differences about the many different visa types.
  
  
• Always, be careful of scammers.The DHS will never contact you by email or phone and request any payment of fees or fines, or gift cards or any payments over the phone or emails. Should you receive a call, get the name of the individual agency and badge number and contact the ISSO.

This is a confusing time. You are a valued member of the Oakland Community.  Please remember that ISSO is here to support you (walk in hours are M-Th 1 to 4, 248-370-3358, weekly ISSO shares) the Graham Counseling Center is a valuable to listen to you and help you.

ISSO will be hosting two travel-focused ISSO shares on Thursday, 04/03/2025, at 1 p.m. and on Tuesday, 04/08/2025 at 10 a.m. In preparation for these ISSO shares, please review the travel message posted under "General travel this summer (March 17, 2025)". Since we published the above travel message, there have been reports of phones, computers and social media being scrutinized at Ports of Entry in which information found was deemed derogatory and has led to travelers with valid visas being turned away at the border. Please be careful with your social media posts, what is on your phone, and sharing posts.

Also, we had hoped by now, to have more definitive information on any travel restrictions so we could best advise you on your travel plans. At this writing, there has been no announcement of a travel ban however there have been reports in the media about three categories of restrictions. See the Reuters article on the subject.

Please understand that this is a draft list reported by the media and that things may change in the coming few weeks, with countries coming off of this list or, with additional information about how these changes are actually affecting travelers. It could also be implemented quickly.

Please attend one of the ISSO shares or contact our office with any questions or concerns. This is a difficult time. We value you and what you bring to our campus, our city and our country. We look forward to meeting with you online!

Sincerely,

International Students and Scholars Office

If you are traveling outside of the U.S. soon or for the summer, please review the documents you will need to enter back into the U.S.

• Passport valid at least six months into the future upon entry
• Valid I-20 (F visa holders) or DS-2019 (J visa holders)
• Make sure the I-20 or DS-2019 is signed for travel and that it is also signed by you on the front page
• Valid (unexpired) visa in your passport is needed upon re-entry to the U.S.
• Students, print out your course schedule to show you are enrolled for the upcoming fall term
• Visiting scholars should take a letter from your OU faculty member that indicates your ongoing program of research

If you are seeking to renew your U.S. visa while outside the U.S., please check the U.S. Department of State visa wait time website. These wait times are not exact. They are an estimate. 

On 18 February 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced a change to the practice of waiving the interview requirement for people applying for visas to enter the United States. To be eligible for an interview waiver, visa applicants must:

• have previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application.
• apply in their country of nationality or residence
• have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and have no apparent or potential ineligibility.

This change will mean that wait times for visa appointments and processing may be much longer than expected. If you need to apply for a new visa, plan extra time for visa processing. Not all U.S. embassies/consulates offer interview waivers.

Currently, there are no travel restrictions (travel bans), although the current administration has set up a 60-day review process to identify countries that may be subject to a later travel ban. Based on that timeline, this review process ends around March 21. If any changes are announced, Global Engagement will update its information.

If you have any concerns as a student or scholar regarding travel outside of the United States or otherwise, please contact the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) at [email protected].