News

Important F/J Update: Unlawful Presence Policy

Feb. 7, 2020 Update: "On February 6, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina issued a permanent nationwide injunction blocking the August 8, 2018 USCIS policy memo that sought to change how days of unlawful presence are counted following a violation of F, M, or J nonimmigrant status." The government may choose to appeal the decision. See full article by NAFSA.

May 3, 2019 Update: USCIS Temporarily Blocked from Enforcing Unlawful Presence Rules

As a result of an injunction issued by a federal court on May 3, 2019, USCIS is temporarily blocked from enforcing a policy put forward August 8, 2018 that penalizes students and J Exchange Visitors who violate the terms of their nonimmigrant status. In its order, the Court says:

"The Court therefore concludes that, under the circumstances of this case, a nationwide preliminary injunction is appropriate. Defendants [DHS] shall be enjoined from enforcing the policy set forth in the August 2018 Policy Memorandum, in all its applications nationwide, pending resolution of this lawsuit." Find detailed information here.

(Original article Aug. 20, 2018) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated their policy, effective August 9, 2018, on how "unlawful presence" is accrued by international students and scholars in F and J visa classifications. A period of time in unlawful presence has serious consequences and can affect your eligibility to remain in or return to the United States.

3-Year and 10-Year Bars

January 27, 2020

2019 Wuhan Novel Coronavirus Information

Columbia University is actively monitoring information about the virus. Columbia Health prepared Frequently Asked Questions for information specific to the university and more general information about the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Click here to link to the informative FAQs.

February 03, 2020

U.S. Travel Ban expanded to 6 additional countries

On January 31, 2020, by Presidential Proclamation effective February 21, 2020, the Trump administration placed visa and entry restrictions on nationals from (1) Eritrea, (2) Kyrgyzstan, (3) Myanmar, (4) Nigeria, (5) Sudan, and (6) Tanzania.

February 07, 2020

Important F/J Update: Unlawful Presence Policy

Feb. 7, 2020 Update: "On February 6, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina issued a permanent nationwide injunction blocking the August 8, 2018 USCIS policy memo that sought to change how days of unlawful presence are counted following a violation of F, M, or J nonimmigrant status." The government may choose to appeal the decision.