Office of International Students and Scholars

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 - we advise students and scholars to reconsider any non-essential international travel at this time.  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 that social media profiles will be reviewed by the Department of State as a part of the visa application process.  

• 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.  Be aware that CBP officers do have the ability to look at your devices when screening you for entry to the United States (laptop, phones, etc) so be mindful of how your information is stored and log out of any apps before you arrive at the Port of Entry.  Social media profiles may be reviewed as a part of the admission screening process.

• 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/on your social media accounts 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.  

In February, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that is is reinforcing the legal requirement for non-U.S. citizens to register with the U.S. government under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1302).  The interim final rule that was published on March 12, 2025 provides details about the registration requirement, and designates a new registration form, G-325R.  The rule goes into effect on April 11, 2025.

The majority of international students and scholars at Lehigh University have already been issued documentation that meets the registration requirement.  USCIS details documents that verify registration (in the "How to Determine if You are Already Registered" section).  All individuals 18 years or older must carry and have in their possession evidence of their registration at all times.  For most of our students and scholars, this means that you must carry a printed copy of your I-94 record with you at all times.

Based on this new directive, nonimmigrant dependent children of our graduate students and scholars (for example, F-2, J-2, H,4, etc) who turn 14 while in the U.S. must now register or re-register within 30 days of reaching their 14th birthday.  According to DHS:

• Foreign nationals above the age of 14 who remain in the United States for 30 days of longer must apply for registration and be fingerprinted before the expiration of 30 days unless exempt as nonimmigrant visa holders who were registered and fingerprinted through their nonimmigrant visa application
• Parents and legal guardians must ensure that their children below age 14 are registered.
• Any noncitizen, regardless of previous registration, who turns 14 years old while in the United States must update their registration and be fingerprinted within 30 days after their 14th birthday.
• Individuals who register under this requirement will receive a "certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card" and must "at all times carry and have it in their personal possession." Registered individuals must notify DHS in writing of any changes of address. 

OISS encourages those with questions about this requirement or who are unsure if this applies to them to contact a qualified immigration attorney. 

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.

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.