Immigration Updates & Resources for International Students, Scholars, Faculty, and Staff

International Student & Scholar Services, together with other University offices, closely monitors changes that could affect our international community. This could include F-1/J-1 students, J-1 scholars, H-1B, TN, and O-1 employees, and their dependents. 

We encourage you to bookmark this page, as we will keep this page and the ISSS site updated. 

The information on this page represents our office’s advising as of the time of posting. We strive to provide accurate and reliable information; however, this information is not intended to constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such (see: ISSS Disclaimer).  

If you are concerned that the information here does not reflect your immediate circumstances or if you need more specific advising, please contact ISSS.  

If you are seeking legal advice regarding your current immigration status or other factors that might affect your immigration status, consult an experienced immigration lawyer or recognized/accredited organization or representative for legal advice or for legal assistance. 

You are also encouraged to independently stay abreast of developments that may impact you based on your specific situation. As you do this, however, please remember that social media and news outlets may report incorrect information.  

Advising & Assistance

ISSS is always available to assist and connect you with resources.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at international@ua.edu; come to us during drop-in advising 11 am – 3 pm, Monday through Thursday; or booking an appointment to see an advisor.

Other offices at UA are here to help you be successful on campus, including the following:

• Counseling Center
• Student Care and Well-Being
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Faculty and Staff

Evidence of Status – Carry Copies/Scans Daily

Anyone on a non-immigrant visa should be able to present proof of their legal status within the United States at any time, and Alabama state law (Act 2011-535) requires that you be able to document your lawful status.

Keep documentation of your visa status up-to-date and always carry proof of status, such as a photocopy or scan/digital copy of your primary immigration documents.

We recommend students on F-1 or J-1 student visa status carry copies/scans of your:

1. main passport page
2. current I-94 Record
3. most recent I-20/DS-2019
4. most recent visa
5. I-797 Approval Notice (for those who have changed to F-1 or J-1 status inside the U.S.)

Note: It may also be helpful to have a copy of your class schedule (from the student tab of MyBama) or Enrollment Verification.

We recommend scholars, faculty, and staff carry copies/scans of your:

1. main passport page
2. current I-94 Record
3. I-797 Approval Notice (if on H-1B, TN, or O-1 status)
4. most recent DS-2019 (if on J-1 status)
5. most recent visa

For those students in a visa status other than F-1 or J-1 and those scholars, faculty, and staff in a visa status other than J-1, H-1B, TN, or O-1, you should carry scans/digital copies of the primary documents which support your visa status.

For maintenance of status questions, please also see the following pages:

• F-1 and J-1 Student Maintaining Student Status Page
• J-1 Scholar Page
• H-1B Worker Page
• TN Worker Page

Domestic Travel

If you will be traveling within the United States – driving on major highways, or riding on buses, trains, or planes – you should carry both scans/copies of your documents and the original physical documents.

We recommend students on F-1 or J-1 student visa status traveling domestically within the continental U.S., carry your:

1. original, physical passport
2. most recent visa
3. printout of your current I-94 Record
4. printed copy of your most recent I-20/DS-2019
5. printed copy of your I-797 Approval Notice (for those who have changed to F-1 or J-1 status inside the U.S.)
6. printed copy of your class schedule (from the student tab of MyBama) or Enrollment Verification.

We recommend scholars, faculty, and staff who are traveling domestically within the continental U.S., carry your:

1. original, physical passport
2. most recent visa
3. printout of your current I-94 Record
4. printed copy of your I-797 Approval Notice (if on H-1B, TN, or O-1 status)
5. printed copy of your most recent DS-2019 (if on J-1 status)

For those on F-1 or J-1 visas traveling domestically outside of the continental United States (i.e. to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands), ISSS also recommends having a current, valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 as a precaution.  If your I-20 or DS-2019 does not have a travel signature, or your travel signature will be more than 12 months old at the time of your planned return, please submit the Travel Signature Request Form (DOCUSIGN) to obtain a new travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 prior to travel.

For those students in a visa status other than F-1 or J-1 and those scholars, faculty, and staff in a visa status other than J-1, H-1B, TN, or O-1, you would want to carry the primary documents which support your visa status.

International Travel

The Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) gives wide discretion to the President, and sometimes the Secretary of a Federal agency, to suspend or impose restrictions on entry of noncitizens to the United States.  When planning any type of international travel, please remember that such discretion can be exercised quickly and your ability to re-enter the U.S. could be impacted. 

Travel Considerations

ISSS will update this webpage with any new travel or immigration policies impacting international travel. If traveling, please keep in mind the following information. 

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection screenings: All international travelers are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when arriving at both air and land ports of entry. CBP will screen travelers to determine whether they are “admissible.”
• CBP officers may question you about your travel, inspect your personal belongings and electronic devices.
• In some cases, they may request access to your social media accounts or may copy data from your devices.
• Travelers, including U.S. citizens, have limited constitutional protections (e.g., privacy and due process, including right to legal counsel) during these inspections.
• Refusal to cooperate may result in delays, seizure of devices, and for non-U.S. citizens, denial of entry.

For international travel advising resources, please also see the following ISSS pages:

• UA Travel Policies for university-sponsored travel
• F-1 and J-1 Student Travel Guidance
• J-1 Scholar Travel Guidance
• H-1B Travel Guidance
• TN Travel Guidance

Executive Orders & Regulatory Actions Impacting International Students & Scholars

For the latest information on EO’s and Regulatory Actions, please see the following resources: 

1. NAFSA: Association of International Educators – Executive and Regulatory Actions Page
2. AILA: American Immigration Lawyers Association – Executive Actions Tracking

External Resources

1. Dept. of Justice – Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives
2. Immigration Attorneys
3. Immigration Advocates Network