On June 04, 2025 U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation titled, “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” This proclamation establishes a full or partial entry ban on nationals from 19 countries with limited exceptions and goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 9, 2025. Full Suspension of Entry Nationals, including all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, from the…
Author: Justin Mellish
Update from the ISS Director: F & J Visa News
ISS continues to carefully monitor any changes to federal F-1 and J-1 regulations. Although there have been recent announcements in the media about student visas, there have been no official changes to F or J federal immigration policies. If there are any official changes to the federal regulations, ISS will post it to our Government Updates page. We will also notify any impacted students directly by email if there are any official changes. Below are a few updates regarding recent…
DHS to Screen Social Media Activity
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on April 9, 2025, that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would begin considering social media activity of foreign nationals-including F and J visa holders—when evaluating immigration benefit applications. This could include applications for work authorization, change of status, or reinstatement. According to the DHS announcement, social media content that shows support for “antisemitic terrorism, violent antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organizations” can be used as a negative factor in determining whether to approve…
Alert! Fake Embassy and Police Scam
A sophisticated phone scam involving individuals who falsely claim to represent the Chinese Embassy or police authorities continues to target international students. While this scam is not new, it continues to evolve and exploit fears about immigration, legal trouble, and international travel. Awareness is key to staying safe. What Happens: You get a call from someone claiming to be from the Chinese Embassy or police in China. They claim that you are under investigation for a crime. They pressure you…
Clarifying Immigration Registration Requirements
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…
Spring Break Travel Tips
Spring break is just around the corner, and if you’re an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, it’s important to prepare properly before traveling. Whether you’re heading home, exploring a new U.S. city, or going abroad, here are some key reminders to ensure a stress-free trip and smooth return. International Travel Before you leave, make sure you have the following: A valid passport (at least six months beyond your intended return date) A valid F-1 or J-1 visa (if…
Campus Spotlight: Student Legal Services & Your Rights
Navigating Immigration Changes: Rights and Resources for International Students at UW Written by Tanya Fekri, Director and Attorney of Student Legal Services Recent changes in immigration regulations under the new administration have left many international students at UW feeling uncertain about their visa status, work authorization, and travel plans. Student Legal Services (SLS) is here to help students understand their rights and connect them with essential resources to navigate these shifts. Know Your Rights as an International Student International students…
Alert! AR-11 Scam Targeting International Students
Beware of USCIS Phone Scams Targeting International Students If you’re an F or J international student, be cautious of phone scams where callers impersonate U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers. A recent scam has surfaced where students receive threatening calls regarding Form AR-11, claiming a complaint has been filed against them. Details of the Scam Students have reported receiving repeated calls from a person posing as a USCIS officer. The scammer may: Claim that you failed to file Form…
Update from the ISS Director: Federal Immigration Policy
We have recently heard from students that the last few weeks of uncertainty around immigration policy has been difficult. I want to assure you that I have been working closely with UW leadership, campus partners across all 3 UW campuses, and with our leading international organizations to monitor any changes to federal F-1 and J-1 regulations. There have been no changes to F or J immigration policies. If any federal policies are announced that directly impact F-1 or J-1 students,…
Alert! Scam Targets Chinese Students
A common scam targets Chinese international students at the University of Washington, pretending to be Chinese police or government officials. Their goal is to steal your money or personal information by using fear and confusion. Here’s how to stay safe: How the Scam Works Scammers often call students and claim to be Chinese police, immigration officers, or other government representatives. These scammers often speak Mandarin, use fake documents, and spoof official phone numbers to appear legitimate. They may use tricks…