Category: Capstone International Services

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN AND MINORS – EFFECTIVE APRIL 11, 2025

New USCIS guidance published on February 25, 2025 and which will go into effect on April 11, 2025 will require young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to “re-register” with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday, even if previously registered when entering the country. This may affect, for example, F-2, J-2, H-4 dependents and young F-1/J-1 students who entered before age 14. Most nonimmigrants who entered the U.S. at age 14+ are already automatically registered (as evidenced by their Form I-94) and DON’T need to re-register.

Read the USCIS page: Alien Registration Requirement (February 25, 2025, updated March 12, 2025); The USCIS guidance references statutes and regulations as well as Executive Order 14159 of January 20, 2025: Protecting The American People Against Invasion (see 90 FR 8443 (January 29, 2025)) as the legal basis for the agency action.

New requirement affects young people who turn 14 while staying in the United States:

  • Those who turn 14 years old while in the U.S. must register again within 30 days of their 14th birthday; the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states that those who must register include: “Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday.”
  • This applies even for those who were properly registered when they first entered the country under age 14
  • For example, this rule affects dependents with F-2, J-2, and H-4 status, as well as young students with F-1 and J-1 status (such as boarding school students) who entered the United States under age 14 and have remained in the U.S.; it also affects immigrants (green card holders) who acquired their lawful permanent residence under age 14 when they turn 14 years old

Regarding the 14-year-old requirement the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states: “This includes:

  • “All aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a visa to enter the United States and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer. They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days;
  • The parents or legal guardians of aliens less than 14 years of age: Parents or legal guardians must apply for the registration of aliens less than 14 years of age who have not been registered and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, before the expiration of those 30 days; and
  • Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday.”

Individuals who have not be registered must also now register. In addition to the requirement for 14-year-olds to re-register, the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states: “Anyone who has not applied to the Department of State for a visa, been issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b), or has not submitted one of the forms designated at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and provided fingerprints (unless waived) is not registered. Aliens who have not registered include:

  • Aliens present in the United States without inspection and admission or inspection and parole who have not otherwise registered (that is, aliens who crossed the border illegally);
  • Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration; and
  • Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration listed in 8 CFR 264.1(b).”

How to complete the re-registration. See the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page for instructions on filing Form G-235R. Form G-325R must be filed online through a USCIS online account. It cannot be filed by mail or in person.

Where can I get advice on my or my family’s obligations to register or re-register? Individuals with questions about their and their family’s legal obligations to provide information to the U.S. government can contact an experienced Immigration Attorney or assistance through the Immigration Advocates Network.

Resources:

212(e) Skills List Updated

212(e) Two Year Home Residency Requirement

On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State published an updated Exchange Visitors Skills List in the Federal Register.

The updated 2024 Skills List replaces the prior 2009 Skills List.

In developing the new Skills List, the Department of State used modern, data-driven criteria to assess which countries remain subject to the home residency requirement. Factors used to determine inclusion or exclusion from the Exchange Visitors Skills List include:

  • Per Capita GDP
  • Country Size
  • Migration Trends

This Skills List change impacts J-1 and J-2 visa holders who may be subject to the 212(e) Two-Year Home Residency Requirement.

The Exchange Visitor Skills List identifies countries and fields of expertise deemed essential for a country’s development. Nationals of these countries who hold J-1 visas have historically been required to return home for at least two years after completing their programs.

The main change from the 2009 Skills List to the 2024 Skills List is that 37 countries which were previously included in the 2009 Exchange Visitors Skills List have been removed as of December 9, 2024.

A cross comparison table for the 2009 and 2024 Skills List Countries can be accessed here.  Please note that the table does not include the skills listed under each included country; reference the 2024 Skills List for specific skills included.

The list of countries which have been removed in the updated 2024 Exchange Visitors Skills list include:

  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Gabon
  • Georgia
  • Guyana
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Laos
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Montenegro
  • Namibia
  • Oman
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Romania
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Sri Lanka
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uruguay

IMMEDIATE IMPACTS – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

J-1 and J-2 visa holders from the above list of removed countries will benefit significantly from this change:

  • Starting December 9, 2024, the 212(e) two-year home residency requirement will no longer apply unless triggered by other factors, such as government funding or participation in medical training programs.
  • Affected individuals will now be able to pursue other U.S. immigration options, such as H-1Bs or green cards, without the need for waivers.

The removal of the 212(e) requirement for those who were subject due to the prior EV Skills List has been removed retroactively.

Per the 12/09/2024 Revised Notice “Accordingly, J nonimmigrant exchange visitors who were subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement at the time of their admission or acquisition of J status based on designations in a previously published Skills List will no longer be subject to that requirement if their country is not designated in this revised list.”

Please note, those in J-1 or J-2 status whose country has been removed from the 2024 Exchange Visitors Skills may still be subject to the 212(e) 2-year home residency requirement if your program was government-funded or if you received medical education or training.

UA Wheelchair Tennis Player and the ELI

Francesco Felici

The top player on the Alabama wheelchair tennis team, Italian Francesco Felici, has spent this fall semester at the English Language Institute (ELI). While he was playing in junior international competitions, an Alabama coach contacted him with “an offer on the other side of the world, with a new language and everything new”. Francesco was a little hesitant at first, but his coach told him about the ELI and how helpful it could be before moving to a degree program.

In Spring 2024, he visited UA and “fell in love. The campus was so beautiful.” When his parents attended Francesco’s tennis tournament in November, “they understood why I came here. The campus is impressive by European standards. They saw I have a lot of opportunities”.

Francesco has now qualified for the NCAA Wheelchair Tennis Individual Championship to be held at Baylor University. Francesco will start a degree in Aerospace Engineering in Spring 2025. He concluded, “I’m enjoying the time here and hope to have a good result with my sport while learning new things in my classes.”

The Long and Safe Road: International Graduate Helps Others

(Original Article: https://news.ua.edu/2024/07/the-long-and-safe-road-international-graduate-helps-others/)

Sunday Okafor

The Long and Safe Road: International Graduate Helps Others

Sunday Okafor likes to help others. Before he started studying for his doctorate in civil engineering at The University of Alabama, he knew he wanted to help make roads safer for everyone.

“I love to see a more efficient transportation system; I love to see how we can ensure the safety of people who are moving from one place to another,” Okafor said. “My dissertation was on the idea of instead of looking at the historical crashes to prevent future ones, why not try to do something to prevent the crashes from happening in the first place?”

A first-generation student from Nigeria with five siblings, Okafor came to UA in 2021 after finishing his master’s degree in civil engineering in the United Kingdom. In three short years at UA, he is set to cross the stage in August before heading to Arkansas to work as a project engineer for Garver, an engineering and consulting firm.

He began looking at UA because he had some friends who were already studying here, but he ultimately chose UA for the support and resources offered to international students.

“That understanding of the international community is very important to me,” Okafor said. “Being able to integrate easily and have people that can guide you, the support here, that was a big deal for me to make that decision to come to UA.”

Sunday Okafor

He has presented his research and served on a panel at conferences such as the Transportation Research Board annual meeting and the ITE annual meeting. He also earned the honor of being named a 2024 ITE Young Leader to Follow.

On top of continuing his educational career at UA, Okafor served as the president of the African Students Association and vice president of the UA students’ chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

Okafor said he has honed his interpersonal skills through these conferences, as a Graduate School Ambassador, and as part of the first class of Graduate Ambassador Influencer Network, GAIN for short, Influencers — a group of students who promote the Graduate School on campus and through social media. He said the experiences he’s had at UA not only made him more confident but also more compassionate.

It is possible to do great things even if you are from a very humble background.

“Emotional intelligence and patience are some things that being an ambassador has helped me fully develop,” Okafor said. “It taught me to be patient with people and put myself in their shoes when I’m trying to respond. Being calm and well-receptive in terms of my responses, it helps those students.”

In his own time, Okafor extends his role as an influencer on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on LinkedIn. He gives advice on applying to graduate school in the United States, and he hosts informational webinars for those students. However, as he transitions to working in the field, he will likely not be on as much, and his content will shift to be more career-centered.

Though his time at the Capstone is coming to a close, Okafor is glad for his experience and the professional development opportunities he received at UA. He wants to encourage others to take a leap of faith and never let others impact their belief in themselves.

“It is possible to do great things even if you are from a very humble background,” Okafor said. “I never doubted what I could do. I always know that whatever I want to do, I can achieve it if I put my mind to it.”

ISSS Receives 2024 Sybil R. Todd Award for Excellence in Partnerships

ISSS Team - Sybil R Todd Award 2024
International Student & Scholar Services Team – Sybil R Todd Award 2024

On May 9, 2024, International Student & Scholar Services was honored by the Division of Student Life with the Sybil R. Todd Award for Excellence in Partnerships.

The Todd Award is named for Dr. Sybil Todd, Vice President for Student Affairs from 1998 to 2003. This award is presented to individuals or organizations outside of the Division of Student Life who have demonstrated excellence in partnership and whose service to all our constituents is of an exceptional nature.

From Discouraged to Determined: Graduate Aims for the Stars

From Discouraged to Determined: Graduate Aims for the Stars

 Written by 

(Original article: https://news.ua.edu/2024/04/from-discouraged-to-determined-graduate-aims-for-the-stars/)

Growing up, Sindhu Belki was often discouraged from reaching for the stars.

Belki knew she wanted to pursue a career in aeronautics from a young age, but she realized she would have to leave her home country to achieve those dreams.

“I grew up in Qatar, and we don’t have a space industry. But ever since I was little, I always dreamed of being an astronaut,” she said.

Now, Belki is set to graduate this spring with her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from The University of Alabama.

Although leaving her home country and her family seemed scary, Belki knew she had to in order to pursue her dreams. As soon as she stepped onto The University of Alabama’s campus, she knew this was the place where she was meant to be.

“Right from the beginning, it felt like everyone at The University of Alabama wanted to make a difference in my life and my career,” she said.

After she decided to commit to The Capstone due to the wealth of scholarships offered, she immediately felt at home and ready to pursue her passion.

It felt like everybody I talked to was heavily invested in my education and ensuring that I got to pursue my education. Throughout my time here, I have felt nothing but warmth and joy.

Sindhu Belki

Since arriving at The University of Alabama, Belki has garnered many accolades and scholarships. She received the Zed Factor Fellowship, which highlights underrepresented minorities in the aerospace industry, and the Brooke Owens Fellowship. She also served as the project manager of the Alabama Rocketry Association, UA’s student-run rocketry club. Under her guidance, the team placed 18th nationally. She also represented UA at the 74th International Aeronautical Congress, where she presented her first paper on small satellite launch services. At the conference, she was one of the youngest delegates ever, at just 21 years old.

During her time at UA, Belki was able to network with many people in the industry, making connections that helped her secure internships.

“A lot of [UA] alumni go on to work in big-name companies like NASA and SpaceX,” she said.

Belki hopes her accomplishments and actions will inspire young girls to pursue their passion.  This summer, she will be participating in a series of educational talks across Qatar in collaboration with universities and high schools across the country. While in Qatar, she hopes to highlight the space industry’s importance and continuous impact on the world and on our daily lives.

After graduation, Belki will begin a Master of Aerospace Engineering this fall at Georgia Tech — and credits The University of Alabama for helping her get there.

“Bama felt like the only place where I could be anything I wanted to be. I was able to define my identity here, and I will truly miss it,” Belki said.

International Students Association, 2024 Organization of The Year

International Students Association, Winners of 2024 Organization of The Year
International Students Association, Winners of 2024 Organization of The Year

On, Tuesday, April 9, The International Students Association were awarded the prestigious, David L Phelps Organization of The Year Award for 2023-24.

The David L Phelps Organization of The Year Award is awarded to a student organization that best exemplifies excellence in student involvement at The University of Alabama.

This award recognizes the amazing efforts by the ISA and their Executive Board: Omid Reyhanigalangashi, Abiodun Wahab, Diweng Dafong, Kazi Hassan Shakib, Zumanah Kamal, Matilde Tricca, Rahul Mondal, and Sophia Xiong.

The Exemplo Capstone Awards is an annual recognition hosted by The Office of Student Involvement, University Programs (UP), Student Government, Student Center, and Center for Service and Leadership (CSL).

This collaborative event honors the contributions of individuals and campus organizations to service and leadership within and outside of the UA community.

These are the highest honors that can be bestowed upon student organizations and individuals in regard to campus leadership and service.

RAMADAN: Everything you need to know about your students observing Ramadan

RAMADAN: Everything you need to know about your students observing Ramadan

This year, Ramadan takes place March 10 – April 9, 2024.

Ramadan stands as a sacred period in Islam, marking the revelation of the Qur’an. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, fostering closeness to God and nurturing qualities like self-discipline, gratitude, and empathy for the needy. It’s a time of spiritual renewal, characterized by increased Quranic recitation and prayer.

FASTING
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, about 12 hours daily over 29-30 days. It’s a time for spiritual and physical discipline, fostering self-reflection and moral growth. Fasting promotes God-consciousness and encourages good deeds.

  • The first 6 days are typically the hardest.
  • Students may be more tired than usual.
  • They also may be homesick during this time.

WAYS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS DURING RAMADAN
Prayer Times: During Ramadan, students may prioritize prayer times, observing the five daily prayers at various intervals throughout the day.

  • Consider allowing brief breaks during class, labs, seminars, or events for prayer or iftar.
  • Additionally, be aware of evening activities that may coincide with worship times.
  • Respect students who may pray in quiet area such as hallways or designated room.

Academics: Reasonable accommodations should be provided for fasting students during finals and exams, such as adjusting exam times or allowing students to eat during the exam if needed.

  • It’s important to minimize stress by offering support and understanding the challenges students may encounter.
  • Recognize that students may adjust their sleep schedules due to late-night prayers and early morning meals during Ramadan.

For more information visit:

USCIS Increasing Filing Fees

USCIS INCREASES PREMIUM PROCESSING FEES ON 2/26/2024

Effective February 26, 2024, the Premium Processing Fee to expedite certain USCIS petitions will increase (USCIS Announcement).

The adjusted fees which impact commonly filed ISSS cases:

PREMIUM PROCESSING
ELIGIBLE CASE
CURRENT FEE NEW FEE
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker $2,500  Form I-129 classifications including H-1B, O-1, TN $2,805 Form I-129 classifications including H-1B, O-1, TN
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker $2,500 (Employment-based (EB) classifications E11, E12, E21 (non-NIW), E31, E32, EW3, E13 and E21 (NIW)) $2,805 (Employment-based (EB) classifications E11, E12, E21 (non-NIW), E31, E32, EW3, E13 and E21 (NIW))
Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status $1,750 (Form I-539 classifications F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, H-4, O-3) $1,965 (Form I-539 classifications F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, H-4, O-3)
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization $1,500 (Certain F-1 students with categories C03A, C03B, C03C) $1,685 (Certain F-1 students  with categories C03A, C03B, C03C)
 

USCIS INCREASES MANY OTHER FILING FEES ON 4/1/2024

Effective April 1, 2024, numerous filing fees will increase (USCIS Announcement).

The new fee schedule will impact several USCIS form types typically used by International Students and Scholars.

Some select form filing fee changes (see full list on https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/frequently-asked-questions-on-the-uscis-fee-rule):

PETITION CURRENT FEE NEW FEE
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
  • $460
  • $460 H-1B (unchanged)
  • $510 TN
  • $530 O-1
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
  • $700
  • $710
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
  • $1225
  • $750 (applicants under  14)
  • $1440
  • $950 (applicants under 14)
Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
  • $370 (+ $85 Biometric fee)
  • $420 (online filing)
  • $470 (paper filing)
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
  • $410 (+ $85 Biometric fee)
  • $470 (online filing)
  • $520 (paper filing)

Fee Schedules will be updated here on April 1: https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055.

Honoring Ifeanyi Anyoku

Honoring Ifeanyi Anyoku

On August 10, The University of Alabama community came together to honor international student Ifeanyi Chidubem Prince Anyoku, who tragically passed away on August 5, 2023.

Ifeanyi came to UA from Nigeria in Fall 2022 to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Biology.

In his time here, Ifeanyi made a tremendous impact on the University, having been named to the academic honors President’s List twice in his first year of study, as an active member of the Blount Scholars Program, the African Students Association, Al’s Pals, Circle K International, the First Baptist Church, and UA Housing and Residential Communities.

These communities came together to share their thoughts and memories of a young man who left too soon.

Many of the attendees left their thoughts and memories, which can be viewed here (View Tributes).