International Student and Scholar Services

Immigration Updates FAQ

This information is presented for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified immigration attorney.

Immigration Updates Frequently Asked Questions

What immigration changes have taken place under the current Trump administration?

The US State Department has revoked all visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders, and has put a hold on issuing visas to citizens of South Sudan.

From a regulatory perspective, no major changes have taken place that directly affect non-immigrants in F-1, J-1, and H-1B status or Permanent Residents. At this time, it is not clear what, if any, changes will take place via executive orders, legislation, or changes to agency guidance, policies, and regulations in the future. What has changed is the level of strictness in interpretation and overall enforcement of existing immigration regulations and laws.

What changes occurred under the prior Trump administration?

Starting in 2017, the prior Trump administration issued various travel bans for citizens of Chad, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, and Yemen. In most cases, bans affected travel and processing for immigrant and refugee visas, but mostly did not affect non-immigrant visa issuance and travel. These bans were lifted during the Biden administration. The Trump administration also banned entry for F-1 and J-1 visa holders from China affiliated with the military-civil fusion strategy, which remains in place to this day. Increases in application processing times and visa appointment availability delays were common.

Should I travel internationally?

Staff at Oberlin's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) are available to review F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor travel plans and check immigration documents before any travel. H-1B and Permanent Resident faculty and staff can contact Human Resources to request guidance from an immigration attorney.

However, all international faculty, staff, and students must weigh the risks of international travel and make their own decisions. Every visa application has an element of risk of denial at the consular officer’s discretion, and every entry into the US is at the discretion of border officials. Visa renewal and re-entry to the United States are not guaranteed.

How can I reduce my risk during international travel?

The best way to reduce risk during international travel is to make sure all documents are in order:

For F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors:

  • a printed and signed copy of your I-20/DS-2019 including a valid travel signature
  • a valid F-1/J-1 visa
  • a passport valid for at least 6 months into the future

Optional Practical Training (OPT) students should also have:

  • their valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • job confirmation letter

For current students, also have:

  • a copy of your transcript
  • proof of financial support

For J-1 scholars, a copy of your appointment letter can be useful.

For H-1B visa holders:

  • a passport valid for at least 6 months into the future
  • the I-797 approval notice
  • letter from the appropriate Dean’s Office confirming continued employment, dates of employment, salary, and job title
  • a valid H-1B visa
  • recent paycheck summaries may also be helpful

For Permanent Residents:

  • a valid Permanent Resident card
  • a valid passport

If you have concerns about your travel plans, and particularly if you are from a country affected by a prior travel ban, you may want to discuss your concerns with an immigration attorney prior to travel. Please also note that embassy and border officials sometimes search electronic devices and review social media accounts – it is important to be judicious with electronic records.

What documents do I need for domestic travel only within the United States?

The only documents required for domestic travel are a valid ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA has a comprehensive list here. Please note that starting May 7, 2025, TSA will no longer accept the “standard” Ohio driver’s license or state ID as a valid document for flying. Anyone wanting to use a state ID or driver’s license will be required to show a REAL ID which can be obtained at the Ohio BMV and is referred to as a "compliant" ID. Unexpired foreign passports remain a valid ID for domestic travel. Regardless, we recommend keeping all international travel documents with you when traveling domestically in case of questioning by immigration officials or if an emergency requires you to travel abroad.

What documents should I keep on me at all times within the US?

At a minimum, all non-immigrants should keep a copy of their I-94 on them at all times in case they are asked to provide evidence of their immigration status by law enforcement or immigration officials. You can look up your most recent I-94 here. Likewise, Permanent Residents should have their Permanent Residence card available. Please see this NAFSA resource for additional information.

What if students had travel plans, but now want to stay on campus during a scheduled break?

Visit Oberlin's housing website for policy information and the application for break housing

Should international faculty, staff, and students be involved in activism?

International faculty, staff, and students are typically able to exercise their right to free speech like any other individual, provided applicable campus policies as well as all federal, state, and local laws are followed. However, various forms of activism have resulted in immigration enforcement scrutiny, and we encourage international faculty, staff, and students to be thoughtful in deciding what forms of activism to engage in.

Why are visas revoked, how would I know, and what should I do if my visa is revoked?

One of the most common reasons visas are revoked is due to an arrest or being charged with a crime in the criminal justice system. Generally speaking, the embassy or consulate that issued the visa will email you to notify you of the revocation at the email address you used during your visa application process. A revoked visa does not necessarily mean that your lawful status in the United States has ended or that you have become deportable. Rather, it simply means that the ability to use the visa to enter the United States has ended. Regardless, the best advice in this situation would be to seek counsel from a qualified immigration attorney who can review the specific details of your case.

How can I contact an immigration attorney?

You can search for an immigration attorney via the American Immigration Lawyers Association. If the attorney fees are difficult for you to afford, you could also consider contacting two local organizations that offer immigration assistance free of charge or at a discounted rate:

Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland

International Institute of Akron

If you would like a referral to an attorney, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors can contact Josh Whitson (jwhitson@oberlin.edu); H-1B holders and Permanent Resident faculty and staff can contact Joe Vitale (jvitale@oberlin.edu) for assistance.

How can I reduce the risk of a visa revocation?

To reduce the risk of visa revocation, be aware of the rules and regulations applicable to your immigration status and follow them.

For F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, the third page of your I-20 or the second page of your DS-2019 has a summary of the most important rules that you should be aware of. Be sure to read the ISSS weekly emails for immigration reminders, review our website for the most up-to-date guidelines, and consult with ISSS staff on any questions you may have.

For H-1B faculty and staff, USCIS FAQs can be found here, and here for Permanent Residents.

How can I meet the requirement to report address changes to USCIS?

All international faculty, staff, and students are required to report address changes to USCIS within 10 days of any change. Current students automatically have their on-campus address reported by ISSS. Graduated students on OPT should report their address by using SEVP's OPT portal. Current students and exchange visitors should report off-campus address changes, including temporary summer off-campus addresses, via isss.oberlin.edu or via email to isss@oberlin.edu so ISSS staff can update the addresses in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) which will meet the address reporting requirement.

Faculty and staff in H-1B and Permanent Resident status should file an AR-11 form directly with USCIS. Please see this NAFSA resource for further information on this requirement. Please also note that childen who turn 14 within the United States must re-register within 30 days of their birthdate even if an address change has not occured. Information about that process can be found here.

Has Ohio Senate Bill 1 impacted Oberlin's international students?

No, as explained in our recent bulletin, Ohio Senate Bill 1 has not affected international students at Oberlin.

How will I be notified of any changes?

If we become aware of any changes ISSS will email F-1 and J-1 visa holders, and Human Resources will email H-1B holders and Permanent Residents. Additionally, the information on this page will be updated.

What if my question is not answered here?

Please email us at isss@oberlin.edu so we can advise you directly and add to this page as needed!