Current U.S. Administration and its Actions

Quick Links: See most recent OIS Alerts & Guidance   |   See Previous OIS Announcements   |   Latest U.S Immigration and Policy Updates from NAFSA   |   Fordham's Protocol for Responding to Requests from Law Enforcement Agencies  

The Office for International Services (OIS) is responsible for welcoming and supporting international students scholars, and employees at Fordham University. This page was created to guide the Fordham University community regarding revisions to federal immigration policy. OIS and campus partners will continue to monitor the United States’ evolving immigration rules and will update this page as more information becomes available. 

Alerts🚨 

  • Fordham's Counseling & Psychological Services is hosting an International Student Support Group on Zoom on Tuesday, April 29th from 3:00-4:30 PM. Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional students can RSVP HERE.
  • April 10, 2025 - See below to read the most recent letter from OIS to Fordham's nonimmigrant community.
  • April 10, 2025 - Fordham University is one of 86 institutions and associations joining in submitting an amicus brief in the case of AAUP vs. Rubio, which challenges the administration's visa revocations and detentions of noncitizen students and scholars. More details can be found in this press release from the President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration announcing the submission.

  • April 10, 2025 - A federal judge has temporarily reinstated the F-1 status of a Dartmouth College graduate student from China, who was one of dozens of international students whose visas were revoked without explanation last week. The court’s decision allows the student to remain in the U.S. and resume studies while the case continues. OIS will continue to monitor legal challenges to visa revocations and assess their potential impact on our international community.

  • April 10, 2025 - The Office for International Services (OIS) is aware that some international students’ visas have been affected, including, in some cases, having their participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program terminated by the federal government. Please be assured that OIS continuously monitors SEVIS records for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders. OIS will notify students of any changes to their SEVIS status and connect them with resources as needed. If you are contacted or notified by a federal officer, please notify OIS or Fordham’s Public Safety. Refer to the Protocol for Responding to Requests from Law Enforcement Agencies for further guidance.

  • INA 212(f) Travel Ban - The possibility of an INA 212(f) “travel ban” exists, though its timing (very soon, this summer, or later) is uncertain. While past media reports have identified some countries that may be subject to a ban, no ban has been announced at this time. See NAFSA's page for more details.

New Guidance

Nonimmigrants must ensure they fulfill the following two obligations:

  • Carry their immigration registration document – A printout of an electronic Form I-94 meets this requirement (8 CFR 1.4(f))
    • To obtain your I-94, access the I-94 Official Website and select “Get Most Recent I-94.” The I-94 electronic record should reflect F-1 (or J-1) as your class of Admission and “D/S” for Admit Until Date. Print the I-94 and carry it with you at all times. 
  • Report address changes within 10 days - All noncitizens in the U.S. must report any change of address within 10 days of the change 

Under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(17), F1 students must inform DHS and the DSO of any legal changes to the student’s name or of any change of address, within 10 days of the change, in a manner prescribed by the school. A student can satisfy the requirement in 8 CFR 265.1 of notifying DHS by providing a notice of a change of address within 10 days to the DSO, and the DSO in turn must enter the information in SEVIS within 21 days of notification.  We recommend that all non-immigrant community should file an AR-11, in abundance of caution.

You can find the AR-11 at www.uscis.gov/ar-11 - and carry with you.

 

Previous Announcements

April 9, 2025 Message to the International Student Community:
Fwd: Update on Evolving Political Landscape

Dear International Students, Scholars, and Faculty,

I understand that the evolving landscape around immigration and student visas is causing significant anxiety and concern for many students and families. President Tetlow's message conveyed the University's unwavering support for our international community, and I want to echo that commitment. My office is closely monitoring the situation and is here to provide you with specific and timely guidance to help you navigate these challenges.

As the President referenced in her message, should you encounter an immigration-related emergency, call Fordham Public Safety at 718-817-2222 (Rose Hill) or 212-636-6076 (Lincoln Center). Inform the officer of your immigration emergency, and Public Safety will put you in touch with the University resources appropriate to your situation.

Should such an emergency arise, Fordham is committed to providing support. Fordham has engaged the legal services of an external immigration law firm to provide initial, complimentary legal consultations. These consultations are specifically available to current Fordham students, faculty, and staff facing emergency immigration-related issues, including removal proceedings, visa revocation, and detainment upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry. The initial consultation is intended to offer preliminary legal guidance and assessment of critical immigration situations. The consultation covers the first meeting. Should you need ongoing legal representation, you will need a separate agreement directly with the lawyers, or you may engage an immigration law firm of your choosing. 

Lastly, I encourage you to be aware of scams. We have heard reports that international students are being targeted with fake calls, emails, and letters that appear to be from a federal agency. Such scams threaten deportation unless an immediate payment is made for an immigration violation. Know that federal agencies never contact you to demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or prosecution, nor will federal agencies ask for personal details like your Social Security number, bank information, or passwords over the phone. Should you receive any communication (including email and/or phone calls) from the federal government related to your visa or status, you should immediately contact the Office of International Services for guidance and support. 

If my office can be of any assistance, please reach out anytime. Otherwise, OIS will be back in-touch with updates as necessary.

Thank you,

Salvatore C. Longarino
Director, RO and PDSO
Office of International Services

January 28, 2025 Message to International Student Community:
Requirements to Carry Current Electronic Form I-94 and CURRENT Travel History

As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intensifies its immigration compliance efforts (for example, see the January 25, 2025 executive order Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats), nonimmigrant students and scholars should review these important requirements and other important guidelines for maintaining immigration status.

Nonimmigrants must ensure they fulfill the following two obligations:

  • Carry their immigration registration document – A printout of an electronic Form I-94 meets this requirement (8 CFR 1.4(f))
    • To obtain your I-94, access the I-94 Official Website and select “Get Most Recent I-94.” The I-94 electronic record should reflect F-1 (or J-1) as your class of Admission and “D/S” for Admit Until Date. Print the I-94 and carry it with you at all times.
    • If you have trouble obtaining your I-94 or if any information appears incorrect, contact ois@fordham.edu
  • Report address changes within 10 days - All noncitizens in the U.S. must report any change of address within 10 days of the change.

Thus, to comply with INA 264(e), nonimmigrants should carry their I-94 printout at all times. It is also recommended to carry any other relevant status documents with you, such as Form I-20 (for F-1 students), DS-2019 (for J-1 visa holders), or a valid EAD card if authorized for employment under OPT. 

In addition, to prove identity, nonimmigrants should carry a government-issued photo ID.

For more information, please refer to this NAFSA advisory.

December 12, 2024 Message to International Student Community:
Immigration and Travel Considerations Under New Federal Administration

Dear Fordham,

As we prepare for the transition to a new federal administration, we want to remind you that changes in immigration policies, regulations, and procedures may occur. At this time, it is too early to determine if or when these changes might take place or how they might impact Fordham’s international community. The Office for International Services (OIS) is closely monitoring developments and will keep you updated as new information becomes available. Additionally, if you come across any specific information or concerns, please don’t hesitate to bring it to our attention so that we may investigate further.  

In the meantime, we encourage you to keep the following points in mind:  

1. Immigration Situations Are Unique 

Every international student’s circumstances are different. If you have questions or concerns, please contact OIS for guidance tailored to your situation. Avoid making decisions based on social media, news reports, or speculation about potential new policies. Instead, rely on official communications from government agencies and guidance from OIS. 

2. Policy Changes Take Time 

The new administration cannot impose Executive Orders until after the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025. Even then, Executive Orders and new laws may take time to implement. The University will offer timely updates to international students and guidance, if possible, whenever new laws or Executive Orders are finalized. 

(see #3  below) 

3. Winter Travel and Visa Considerations 

With the new administration taking office on January 20, 2025, it is possible that Executive Orders may affect travel or visa processing on or after that date. If you are planning international travel during the winter intersession, we encourage you to:

  • Review the OIS International Student Travel web page
  • Consider returning to the U.S. before January 20, 2025, if you are unsure about visa requirements or travel risks 
  • Be aware that election transitions can temporarily affect staffing levels at U.S.  embassies and consulates abroad, potentially impacting visa processing times.

4. Uncertainty Is Normal During Transitions 

We understand that uncertainty can be challenging, especially during times of transition. Please know that OIS has experience in navigating changes in federal administration and immigration policies, and will do our best to guide you through any changes as smoothly as possible. Our team is here to support you, and will share updates as soon as we have concrete information. Please DO maintain your current legal and valid non-immigrant status at all times. If you have any doubts or questions about your status, please contact OIS at OIS@fordham.edu.

Lastly, for now, even though our University will close on Tuesday, December 24, and reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025, our Department of Public Safety (718-817-2222) has a process to contact OIS officials if there is an emergency during that time.  

On behalf of the entire OIS team, I wish you all happy holidays and a happy, successful, and rewarding new year. 

Salvatore Longarino, Director
Office for International Services