On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14159 which introduces changes to U.S. immigration enforcement policies. The executive order clarifies registration requirements and processes for non-immigrants including those under the F or J status. The changes in this Executive Order are scheduled to take effect on April 11, 2025.
What does the executive order do?
Executive Order 14159 clarifies that the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires that non-immigrants 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting. Similarly, parents and legal guardians of dependents below the age of 14 must ensure that those dependents are registered. Within 30 days of reaching their 14th birthday, all previously registered non-immigrants in the U.S. must apply for re-registration and to be fingerprinted.
What does this mean for F-1 and J-1 students?
Most F-1 and J-1 students are already registered. When you apply for a visa and enter the U.S., you are issued an I-94. The I-94 is proof of your registration with the U.S. government. If you were 14 or older when your I-94 was issued, you should not need to re-register.
What does this mean for F-2 and J-2 dependents?
Most F-2 and J-2 dependents are also already registered and issued an I-94 when entering the country. However, Executive Order 14159 clarifies that any dependent who turns 14 years old while in the U.S. must re-register within 30 days of their birthday. If you are unsure whether your dependent needs to re-register, please seek immigration help for guidance.
What steps do I need to take?
While most F-1/J-1 students and their dependents are not required to take any action, you should make sure that you are following immigration regulations to prevent any problems in the future.
- Check that your I-94 is accurate. Your I-94 should reflect your most recent entry date, your immigration status (e.g. F-1 or J-1), and an Admit Until Date of D/S. If you find any errors on your I-94, submit the I-94 Issue form to ISS, and our team will reach out to you with guidance.
- Update your contact information with UW. F and J students must report changes in their U.S. address and phone number within 10 day of the change. To do so, you must update the information in your MyUW account which will get sent to ISS for review and reporting. If you’re an alumni on OPT or STEM OPT, you must report your contact information through the SEVP Portal.
- Carry your immigration documents. While in the U.S., you are required to carry certain documents to prove your legal status and identity. ISS recommends carrying paper copies of certain documents while keeping official copies in a safe, secure location. Check out the ISS website for further details.
Staying informed about immigration regulations will help you maintain your status and avoid potential issues. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from an immigration professional or ISS.