The current Federal Administration has made several public statements that they will be enhancing immigration enforcement in ways that affect international students. In recent weeks, international students throughout the United States from a variety of countries have had their Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records terminated by the federal government.
Chancellor Lee H. Roberts addressed in The Well how the University is working to protect our international students.
Below is a series of frequently asked questions to provide relevant information to faculty, staff and students.
This resource is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Individuals should consult their own legal counsel to address specific legal issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q: Where can I look up the meaning of a specific immigration term, document or agency if I’m not sure what it means?
A: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service provides a searchable, online glossary of common immigration terms. You can also reference the USCIS A-Z index to quickly locate relevant content.
Q: As an international student, faculty or staff member, should I carry registration documents with me?
A: If you are in nonimmigrant status (e.g., F-1, J-1 visa holders), you should carry evidence of registration (Form I-94), as well as other documents that confirm your immigration status (i.e. your I-20, DS-2019, valid EAD card, or I-797 Approval Notice). In addition to this, when flying domestically, all individuals must carry adequate identification under REAL ID requirements. When travelling internationally, you can find a list of required documents on ISSS’s website for university-sponsored international students and scholars.
Q: What has the Chancellor said about international students and scholars previously?
A: As part of a series in The Well, Chancellor Lee H. Roberts addressed how the University is working to support our international students and scholars.
At the Employee Forum meeting on Friday, April 4, Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said, “We don’t have a higher value as a University than keeping our students safe, and that’s all of our students, including our international students… [ISSS] is also available to answer any particular questions that any individual students have. They are there to support our international students, who are crucial to the health, well-being and success of our overall campus community.”
Q: Where can I find guidance on international travel and returning to the United States?
A: University-sponsored international students and scholars have received guidance related to the heightened risk of international travel via email. If an international student or scholar has additional questions or concerns related to travel, we encourage them reach out to ISSS directly.
Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS)
Q: What is SEVIS?
A: SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which is a web-based system for maintaining information on nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors (F-1 and J-1) in the United States. SEVIS is overseen by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) within the Department of Homeland Security.
Q: What is the difference between a SEVIS record termination and a visa revocation?
A: Typically, a termination of an individual’s SEVIS record is done by the University if a student or scholar has changed their status in the U.S., withdrawn from the University, or has not maintained their immigration status. However, the recent terminations were done by the U.S. government and were not initiated by the University.
A visa revocation is different from a SEVIS termination. A visa revocation occurs when the U.S. Department of State invalidates a previously issued visa stamp in an individual’s passport. A revoked visa cannot be used for entry into the United States, regardless of its printed expiration date. A student or scholar will usually receive notification from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate regarding a visa revocation. The University is not typically notified when this occurs.
Q: How will I know if my SEVIS record has been terminated?
A: Staff in International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) actively monitor SEVIS to ensure compliance with immigration policy. If ISSS learns that a student or scholar’s SEVIS record has been terminated by the federal government, someone from their team will contact the student or scholar immediately.
Q: How will I know if my visa has been revoked?
A: The U.S. Department of State typically sends revocation notices to the email address that a student or scholar provided on their visa application, which may or may not be their Carolina email. UNC-Chapel Hill is not automatically informed when a student or scholar visa is revoked.
Q: Have there been any Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record terminations at Carolina?
A: UNC-Chapel Hill’s International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS) is aware that the federal government has terminated the SEVIS records of some international students and/or alumni.
UNC-Chapel Hill did not initiate these terminations, and the University was not directly notified.
ISSS staff communicate regularly with international students and scholars, as well as their departments, advisors and supervisors, about regulatory changes and their immigration status. ISSS advisors are available to advise, answer questions and provide resources to all university-sponsored international students and scholars.
Q: How regularly does ISSS check SEVIS for terminations?
A: ISSS actively monitors SEVIS. As soon as ISSS is aware that the government has terminated the SEVIS record of a current or alumni student or scholar, a member of the ISSS team will contact the student or scholar directly. ISSS will advise the student or scholar to contact private immigration counsel and to notify their academic department to discuss options for continued enrollment or progress towards their degree.
Q: What steps should I take if I learn that my SEVIS record has been terminated or my visa has been revoked?
A: In the event that a student’s SEVIS record is terminated, the student should seek the advice of a private immigration attorney.
Students should notify their academic departments to consider options for academic continuity. In addition, undergraduate students should notify the Dean’s Office in the College of Arts and Sciences. Graduate students should notify The Graduate School.
Students should reach out to ISSS with any questions or concerns. ISSS advisors are able to advise and support students with the most accurate and current information, and can refer them to the appropriate campus resource.
Q: What information can you share about students and alumni whose SEVIS records were terminated at Carolina?
A: We have no further information to provide to maintain student privacy.
Resources and Support
Q: What resources and support are available to students and alumni impacted by SEVIS terminations?
A: Multiple offices across the University, including but not limited to UNC Global Affairs, the Dean of Students, Office of Human Resources, The Graduate School, and Deans Offices are coordinating to help affected students and connect them with the resources available to them.
The Dean of Students works to support the holistic success of all UNC students as they navigate and attain their goals on campus including providing personal and academic support and resources connections even in times of uncertainty and crisis.
The following campus resources are also available to students:
- The Dean of Students office; dos@unc.edu; 919-966-4042
- For referrals to immigration attorneys, contact Carolina Student Legal Services: csls@unc.edu; 919-962-1303
- Campus Health Services; chs@unc.edu
- Counseling and Psychological Services; caps@unc.edu; 919-966-3658 (phone line is monitored 24 hours/7days a week)
Q: What are students’ and scholars’ options for legal services?
A: Students and scholars may seek private immigration counsel through the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) referral service. Students may also seek additional information and referrals through Carolina Student Legal Services.
Q: What should I do if immigration enforcement officials request information regarding someone’s immigration status?
A: UNC-Chapel Hill’s Office of University Counsel (OUC) has developed a response guide for “Handling Information Requests from Federal or State Agents,” located on the Dean of Students website.