Office of International Students and Scholars

Updated March 7, 2025

In the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), we understand that a new Presidential administration and Congress can bring change and uncertainty.  As happens with every federal election, there can be changes in policy, regulation, legislation and procedures that can impact anyone in the U.S. on a temporary visa (F-1, J-1, H-1B, etc), those without immigration status or those in more tenuous statuses (TPS, pending asylum, etc). Since January 20, 2025 the new Presidential administration has signed a number of Executive Orders and other Presidential Actions that may have significant impacts for our international student and scholar populations at Lehigh, but it will take time to understand how these various actions will impact immigrant-origin communities, including Lehigh's international students and scholars.  OISS is carefully monitoring updates and changes, and we will update information on this page and communicate with impacted constituents as needed. 

The Office of International Affairs is paying attention to a number of immigration-related actions.  

Visit the International Education, Immigration and Advocacy Page for a summary of executive order that influence immigrant-origin communities in higher education throughout the United States.

Additional actions of interest that OISS is watching:

• Enhanced Vetting
  A number of Executive Orders and Presidential Actions have been signed related to border security and screening of immigrants and visitors.  It is likely that additional travel restrictions will be put into place - students and scholars should undertake international travel with caution.  Additionally, students and scholars who are coming into the United States from abroad should expect to see more thorough screening at multiple points:

  • We expect that visa appointment wait times will increase.  The Department of State recently made changes to the Visa Interview Waiver requirements, so more individuals will require an in-person appointment.

  • We expect to see more students and scholars placed into administrative processing as a part of the visa application process.

  • Students and scholars should be prepared for a more detailed screening at the port of entry.  Be sure to have copies of all documents printed and available at the port of entry.

  • We expect to see more Requests for Evidence when students and scholars apply for immigration benefits (OPT, change of status, etc).

  When traveling, be sure to carry identity and other documents with you. Expect that your answers to screening questions may be compared to additional information available to government agencies and you will be asked about any discrepancies. Answer questions clearly and calmly.  We also recommend that you keep Lehigh's Immigration Protocol page available for instructions on who to contact if you experience any difficulty.  

• Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Actions and Orders
  This revokes a number of Executive Orders and Presidential Memorandums from prior administrations, including the Biden Administration.  Some of these rescinded EOs broadened adjudication standards for certain types of employment-based green cards and created new opportunities for students and scholars in STEM fields and Artificial Intelligence.  While the full impact of this rescission is uncertain, it could have an impact on immigration benefits processing and policies related to F-1 and J-1 visa regulations.

• Laken Riley Act
  On January 29, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law.  There are two parts of the bill that OISS is paying attention to:

  • It requires DHS to detain certain non-citizens (those who are undocumented) who have been arrested for or charged with certain crimes including shoplifting, theft, assaulting a police officer, or crimes that injure of kill someone.

  • The bill allows states to sue the federal government for harm caused by alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.  For instance, the could allow state Attorneys General to seen bans on visa issuance from citizens from countries that will not take back deportees.

  • It is too early to understand the full impact of this new law, but OISS will be paying close attention to how it is implemented.

     

We offer a few guidelines for you to keep in mind when traveling:

• Physical documents are ideal.  Do not rely on electronic copies on a personal device.  Avoid giving anyone access to your personal device (phone, tablet, laptop, etc).
• Be sure to have your original documents with you.  This includes passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019 (if in F or J status), most recent I-94 record, approval notice showing current immigration status (if you changed or extended status in the US).  For current students, we also recommend carrying proof of enrollment such as a printed copy of your unofficial transcript.  For current Lehigh employees, we recommend carrying printed copies of your three most recent pay stubs.
• If you are in F or J status, be sure to request an updated travel signature using the "I-20/DS-2019 Reprint Request" e-form in iHome if you are traveling internationally. Do this at least 2 weeks before you leave the U.S. Travel signatures should be new within 12 months for enrolled students, and new within 6 months for those on OPT or Academic Training.

• If your visa has expired and you need to apply for a new one, give yourself ample time for a visa appointment. If possible, schedule an appointment prior to leaving the U.S. and try to schedule it early in your trip abroad. The Department of State provides a list of wait times for visa appointments. Prepare for delays, as visa wait times and scheduled appointments can change unexpectedly.

   

We encourage you to keep these things in mind, especially if you are gathering information from multiple sources that may offer conflicting accounts of the news:

• Avoid making decisions based on social media and news reports or rumors that predict new policies/regulation.  

  • While social media and news agencies may predict what may be implemented in a new administration, please know that, as past experience has shown, not everything that has been talked about during an election will be implemented. 

• Think before you post on social media.

  •  Government agencies may review social media accounts for international students and scholars at various points including: when applying for a visa, when applying for entry to the United States, and when applying for additional immigration benefits.  Be mindful of this when posting on social media.

• Each international student and scholar immigration situation is unique.

  • We encourage you to speak with your OISS Advisor if you have questions about your specific situation. Do not rely on a google search or your friends for advice.  Read any updates from OISS carefully.  If you are unsure about something, please contact us at intnl@lehigh.edu.

     

You may find the following resources useful:

Lehigh University Immigration Protocols (for international travel or government rep visits)

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Know your rights

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Find an immigration attorney

President's Alliance Higher Ed Immigration Portal

Please continue to visit this page, as we will update it regularly with any new developments.  OISS will also update students, scholars and other university stakeholders via e-mail when we have more details or when important developments occur.  Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.  We are here to support the Lehigh community.