U.S. Presidential Orders and Proclamations Concerning the International Community

President of Penn State, Eric J. Barron - Message

Advising Contact Information

Current international students & scholars with questions, should contact the relevant units below:

Walk-in Advising Hours for international students and J-1 scholars:

  • Monday & Tuesday – 1:30 -  4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday & Friday – 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

How does the recent Executive Order affect study-abroad programs?

  • I am leading an Education Abroad program this semester, what do I need to know or do?  If your Education Abroad (EA) program is set to take place in its entirety prior to April 26, 2017, then some of your students may be affected by the executive order.  In this case, you should review your participant roster and communicate with your students factual information about the executive order.  If all of your participants are US citizens, you have nothing to be concerned about. Your planning for the international program is not affected by the executive order.  On the other hand, if there are international students among your participants, we suggest having a conversation with your students about its effect on program planning. If their citizenship is not in one of the target countries, then they should not be concerned at this time. However, they should ensure that they are in full compliance with all the requirements of their visa. If any of them is on doubt, they should contact a DISSA adviser.
  • What should I do if my students ask me if they should continue with our Education Abroad program?  The information currently available from the federal government is all that we have to work with at this time.  Therefore, we (faculty, staff, and students) need to make decisions about what is best for our own personal situation based on the information  before us.  Each student must make her or his own decision about whether or not participating in the program is right for them.  Refer students to the factual information and resources found elsewhere on this web page.  Remind your international students that all international students, regardless of their country of origin, must follow the regulations pertinent to their visa type for leaving and re-entering the United States.  This is a normal procedure, and if they have any questions, they are encouraged to contact their international student adviser in DISSA.
  • What steps should I take if some students are considering a withdrawal from the EA program due to the executive order?  When speaking with your students, set a date by which you need to hear from anyone concerning a withdrawal from the program.  Consider planning commitments you have in running the program; the notification date should be as soon as they make a decision, the sooner the better.  Students who decide to withdraw should be aware that their decision must be final and they should notify you in writing.  You should retain their written withdrawal for your records.
  • What do I need to do if a student withdraws?  If any student withdraws, then you must recalculate your program budget and determine whether or not you can still financially offer the program.  This may involve contacting the provider, accommodations and other planned components to make adjustments in the numbers as soon as possible.  Education Abroad can assist leaders in thinking through reduced enrollment ramifications.  Contact Kate Manni (kaf29@psu.edu or 814-863-3961).

Please notify the Embedded Programs Team (embeddedprograms@psu.edu) within Education Abroad immediately if there are adjustments to a roster you have already submitted.

On-campus Resources

The following Penn State resources may be helpful to those affected by U.S. Immigration Policy changes.

Contrast of Executive Orders on Immigration

 

 

    NEW
TOPIC  

EXECUTIVE ORDER 13780

(Signed March 6, 2017)

Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the US
Targeted Countries  

Suspension of Entry of Nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days.

Iraq removed from the list of targeted countries.
Review of Visa and Benefits  

Secretary of Homeland Security (in consultation with Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence) will submit a report on a review of visa, admission and other benefit adjudications. (same)
Effective Date  

Suspension delayed by ten days from signing. Effective dates  March 16, 2017 – June 15, 2017
Authority to Recommend Additional Countries  

Countries can be added to the list by the Secretary of Homeland Security. (same)
Scope of Ban  

Applies to anyone who fits all three of the following criteria:

(1) outside of the U.S. on 3/16/2017; (2) did not have a valid visa at 5 p.m. on January 27, 2017; (3) does not have a valid visa on March 16, 2017.
Exemptions  

Exemptions:  Lawful Permanent Residents; Valid Visa-holders; those paroled (someone who does meet admissibility, but is granted admission for a temporary period for humanitarian reasons); advanced parole – documentation for someone who has been approved for permanent residency but waiting to adjust; dual national as long as travel is on the non-designated passport; asylee and refugee
Granting Waivers  

Waivers:  The Consular Officer, Commissioner, and/or CBP may decide on a case-by-case basis to authorize the issuance of a visa or permit entry into the U.S. if the suspension would cause undue hardship.  Reasons may include the foreign  national: (1) had previously been admitted to the US for work, study or other long-term activity, and was outside the U.S. on March 16 and seeks to re-enter to resume that activity and denial would impair that activity; (2) has previously established significant contacts with the U.S. but is outside the U.S. for work, study or other lawful activity; (3) seeks to enter the U.S. for significant business or professional obligations and suspension would impair those obligations; (4) seeks to enter the US to visit or reside with a close family member who is a US citizen, permanent resident or alien lawfully admitted in non-immigrant status and the denial of entry would cause undue hardship; (5) is an infant or child needing urgent medical care; (6) has been employed by the US and has documented faithful and valuable service to the US government; (7) is traveling related on business related to international organization (https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM040203.html#M402_3_7_N) to conduct business with the US government; (8) is  landed Canadian immigrant who applies for a visa within Canada; or (9) is traveling as a US government-sponsored exchange visitor (it is possible, though unclear, that this could include those on the Fulbright program)
Implementing Uniform Screening Standards  

Essentially the same as the old, but the Attorney General replaces the FBI Director.
Refugee Program  

All refugees barred for 120 days (Syrians included). Number of refugees admitted to the U.S. in 2017 drops from 100,000 to 50,000.
Visa Interview Waiver Program  

Suspension of Visa Interview Waiver Program (same)
Biometric Tracking System  

Calls for Expedited Completion of Biometric Entry -Exit Tracking System (same)
Terror/Crime Reporting  

DHS will collect and make public information regarding nationals of the six countries who have been implicated in: terrorism, radicalization, gender-based violence against women ("honor killings"), "any other information relevant to public safety and security"

 

 

 

Last Updated: June 27, 2018