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December 08, 2020
The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 1044 “Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants” to address the per-country numerical limitation of employment-based immigrants more than a year ago. On December 2, 2020, the Senate passed their version of the bill (S.383). Amendments were added and significant differences between the two bills have yet to be reconciled.
December 07, 2020
President Bollinger will address international students on a wide range of topics and engage in a moderated question and answer session. Students will be able to join this discussion remotely from anywhere in the world, including at one of the Global Center or pop-up sites. Registration required for the zoom link.
December 03, 2020
In an open letter to the president-elect, President Bollinger advocates for policy changes that "...will have an immediate impact on American universities and will benefit countless international students and scholars harmed by the previous administration’s turning away from the world.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is alerting the public to an active scam campaign targeting international students. Individuals are impersonating ICE Agents and specifically targeting international students who have valid status. Read more.
Columbia University submitted a comment letter in strong opposition to the Department of Homeland Security’s (Department) proposed rule, “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media". Read the letter here.
UPDATE: Judge Blocks USCIS Fee Increases
On September 29, 2020, a federal judge blocked the implementation of USCIS fee increases that were to take effect on October 2, 2020. Current fees remain in place until further legal action on this case. Read more.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule on September 25, 2020 that would eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) for F students and their dependents, and J students and scholars and their dependents. Read more.
The Office of University Life (OUL) sent students this checklist on August 24th to assist you in fulfilling all the requirements you’ll need to meet if you’re coming to campus this Fall, including...Read more.
Today President Bollinger announced that all undergraduate instruction in fall 2020 will be 100% online.
How does this affect international undergraduate students? Read more.
For the coming academic year, the Global Centers will harness their expertise, location, and network to provide learning and engagement opportunities for Columbia’s 12,000 international students, who hail from over 150 countries. To accommodate the anticipated demand, the nine Global Centers will upgrade their facilities and ...Read more
August 7th Update: SEVP incorporated July 24th questions into an updated version of SEVP COVID-19 FAQs.
When ICE/SEVP rescinded their fall policy directive on July 14th, the guidance for international students reverted back to the March COVID-19 emergency modifications for students who were currently enrolled in the spring term... Read more.
On July 16, 2020, the Department of State provided guidance on National Interest Waivers (NIE) for certain travelers with the following message.
Read More
The Department of State posted the following information at the U.S. Visas News section of their website on phasing in routine visa services on a post-by-post basis.
Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services
- The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide...Read more.
Columbia joins the higher education community in applauding the result of today's hearing in court in a lawsuit brought by MIT and Harvard and joined by many other institutions, including Columbia. In fewer than five minutes the Government "agreed to rescind the July 6, 2020 Policy Directive and the July 7, 2020 FAQ, and has also agreed to rescind their implementation. Read more.
On July 12, 2020, Columbia University, along with 58 other institutions of higher education, filed an amicus brief (“friend of the court”) in support of the Harvard and MIT lawsuit in opposition of ICE announcement requiring international students to have an in-person component in the fall or leave the United States. Read more about it on University Life’s website where you will find a link to the 22-page brief.