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Columbia has created a hub to centralize information, resources and latest guidance for the university community on its new COVID-19 website. Everyone should take the time to review this important information. The FAQs on Columbia's Preparedness website continue to be updated...
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.
Update1/20/2021
President Biden issued a proclamation on January 20, 2021 that revoked this travel ban.
Original Article
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.
The ISSO welcomes new international students to campus, and welcome back to students returning from the winter break.
Here are some reminders and resources for the new semester:
Form I-539 is USCIS application form for requesting a change from one nonimmigrant status to another, or to extend a nonimmigrant visa status. The I-539 is used to extend the status of individuals in B-1/B-2 status, and the dependents of individuals in statuses such as H-1B, TN and O-1 (not used by Fs and Js). Read more...
The ISSO welcomes new international students to campus! Welcome back to students returning for the spring semester! Review our beginning of term reminders and resources.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued an important USCIS policy memorandum, effective September 11, 2018. As of the 11th, USCIS can deny an application or petition immediately at its discretion without allowing the applicant or petitioner the opportunity to submit additional evidence when the initial documentation provided was not deemed sufficient for approval. Read more.
Today, the Supreme Court issued its decision in the travel ban case, upholding the ban in a 5-4 decision by the Chief Justice, with Justices Breyer, Kagan, Sotomayor and Ginsburg dissenting. The countries affected by the ban are Iran, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Venezuela and North Korea. The travel restrictions, which have been in effect since December 4, 2017, are described here. In its opinion the court found that the order is "squarely within the scope of Presidential authority" and that the government has "set forth a sufficient national security justification to survive rational basis review." Read the Court’s full opinion here.
Although there is no official notification from the Department of State (DOS) or the White House, the Associate Press and other media report that the DOS is moving to limit the period of validity for visas issued to some Chinese students and researchers in specified technology fields.
All university offices are closed on Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day. Beginning on Tuesday, May 29th, the ISSO serving Morningside students will implement summer hours until Tuesday, September 4th. See full listing of summer hours.
The 8843 is a federal tax form required by most students and scholars--and their dependents--in F or J status. If you were in the United States for any part of 2017 in F or J student status -- even one day -- and are considered a “nonresident aliens” (NRA) for federal tax purposes, you and all your F2/J2 dependents must mail federal tax form 8843 to the IRS, even if you had no US income in 2017.
A Presidential Proclamation that affects travel into the U.S. by some citizens of eight countries was issued on September 24, 2017. Since then, there have been legal challenges and U.S. district court temporary injunctions that blocked enforcement of the travel restrictions. UPDATE: On December 4th, the Supreme Court issued an order that allows the travel restrictions to be fully enforced while a decision is pending.
Update November 10, 2017: The U.S. and Turkish governments announced on November 6th that they would resume offering limited visa services to the citizens of Turkey and the U.S., respectively. Read the original October 8th news item announcing that the suspension of visa services.
Update October 25, 2017: Two U.S. District Courts have granted preliminary injunctions, effective October 17, 2017, to block enforcement of President Trump's Proclamation ("travel ban") for six of the eight countries. Read the original message.
We have officially launched our ISSO Twitter account! Please follow us for deadlines, reminders, events, tips, and fun facts: