From May 27 to May 31, our office will be closed.  May 27, Tulane University is closed in observance of Memorial Day.  May 28- May 31, the entire OISS team will be attending the NAFSA Annual Conference.  As the most important annual event for international educators, this conference will provide our team with vital updates and ideas that will help us to better serve our international community.  As a bonus, we’re using this opportunity to update the carpet at 6901 Willow. 

If you have any timely requests, such as an OPT, CPT, or Academic Training application or a program extension, please be sure to get complete application to your OISS advisor no later than Friday, May 17 to allow for 3 to 5 business days for processing.  If not, we may not be able to complete your request before the conference. 

During this time, we’ll be monitoring our email for true immigration emergencies, but please be sure to expect a delay in our response.  We’ll still be there if you really need us. 

Thank you for your cooperation,

The OISS Team

Advocacy Toolkit for Proposed DHS Rule Eliminating D/S: Support International Students

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On September 25, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed regulation that would establish fixed end dates on student and exchange visitor visas, and many other changes. Currently, international students and scholars may stay in the United States for the duration of their program, with some PhD programs having a standard length of 7 years. Under this proposal, individuals applying to either F or J status would be limited to a 4 year stay.

Additionally, some international students and scholars would be limited to 2 years based on certain factors, including birth or citizenship in specific countries. Students and scholars of the targeted countries are almost exclusively persons of color and are disproportionately nationals of African countries.

If individuals were to need additional time to complete their program, including requests for legal work authorization after graduation, or would like to start a new degree or academic program, they would have to pay a fee and apply for an extension of stay to the USCIS and the application could be accepted or rejected. This proposed rule creates an unwelcoming and uncertain environment for international students and scholars.

 
This proposed rule is open for public comments until October 26, 2020. After the DHS considers the comments, it would draft a final rule and submit that to the Office of Management and Budget for review. Only after that could a final rule be published. Litigation could temporarily or permanently stop the final rule from taking effect.

 

Advocacy toolkit for all members of the Tulane community to show their support for international students and scholars

Please consider submitting a comment.  It prolongs the process and also shows the international community that people support their being in the United States.