Deadlines, Reminders & Updates
9/25/2020: DHS Proposed New Rule to Eliminate Duration of Status (D/S) Policy for International Students

On September 25, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a Proposed New Rule to eliminate the current duration of status (D/S) policy for international students in F-1 and J-1 status and international researchers and scholars in J-1 status and replacing the policy with a set expiration date for authorized stay. If approved, individuals would be required to apply for an extension of status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to complete degree programs or pursue post-completion employment. ISPO would like to remind our students that this is only a PROPOSED rule, so it has NOT been approved yet. 

What’s being done? The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) is strongly opposed to these proposed rules and are now working in collaboration with campus leadership, government representatives, student leaders, among many other units, to ensure we have collaborative efforts in advocating for our students. In addition, U.S. congressional leaders (including all four of San Diego County's delegation) and higher education associations opposing the DHS Proposed Rule was sent to DHS Acting Secretary, Chad Wolf. Another effort involves the University of California that is also drafting a comment letter to DHS and should be available by the end of the month.
ISPO is now developing a tool kit that will provide ways for international students to submit public comments and participate in advocacy efforts. We will release the tool kit in the next few weeks and will announce its availability via the iStudents newsletter. 
Fall 2020 Check-In: Who Should Submit It by Friday, October 16? 
Visit iTravel.ucsd.edu for more information on the Fall 2020 Check-in and traveling as an international student. In addition, visit the following resources for more information about studying in the U.S. this fall quarter: 
Full-Time Enrollment Requirements  

International students are required to enroll full-time (12 units) each academic quarter at UC San Diego to maintain their student Status. Ensure that you are enrolled in 12 units by the end of the Add/Drop Deadline, Friday, October 16, 2020 as listed on the Academic and Enrollment Calendar.
  
Thinking of taking less than 12 units? Students who are unable to maintain 12 units of enrollment due to medical reasons, academic reasons, or if they are in their final quarter should apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) in the iPortal prior to dropping below 12 units. Contact an ISPO Advisor to learn more if you are thinking about applying for a Reduced Course Load.  

Note: Students who are taking less than 12 units this fall quarter may be eligible for tuition reductions. To see if you qualify, submit your request for Part-Time Status (Undergraduate Students) & Half-Time Status (Graduate Students) by Friday, October 16, 2020.  
Download the Official UC San Diego Mobile App!
GET THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FROM ISPO AND UC SAN DIEGO ON THE APP! ISPO Alerts--a new tool for receiving important updates for international students--will be available later this Fall term so don't miss out!  Available for iPhone and Android. Visit mobile.ucsd.edu for more information on how to download the app.
Fall 2020 Extended ISPO Advising Hours

ISPO has expanded virtual advising hours to accommodate different time zones for the fall quarter. We have expanded our advising hours through Zoom Virtual Advising to reflect the following:

  • MON: 9 AM - 4 PM PST
  • TUES: 1 PM - 6 PM PST
  • WED: 9 AM - 6 PM PST
  • THU: 9 AM - 6 PM PST
  • FRI: 9 AM - 4 PM PST

Note: ISPO is closed everyday from 12-1 PM PST. As we continue to shift our services to accommodate the needs of our students, this schedule may fluctuate and is subject to change. ISPO's most current advising hours can be found at iContact.ucsd.edu.
2022 Diversity Green Card Visa Lottery - Online Entry Period

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (also known as the Green Card or DV Lottery) provides immigrant visas each fiscal year for persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Essentially, this program provides certain nationalities with the opportunity to win the chance to apply for a green card, without having to qualify in one of the family-based or employment-based categories. For fiscal year 2022, 55,000 diversity visas will be available.

  • Begins at Noon EDT on Wednesday, October 7, 2020
  • Ends at Noon EST on Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Ineligible Nationalities: There are no changes in eligibility criteria this year. As with last year, unless an exception applies, individuals born in the following countries are NOT eligible to apply, because these countries provided more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Persons born in Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible.
 
For Detailed Eligibility Requirements and To Apply: Submit the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV Entry Form or DS-5501), online at www.dvlottery.state.gov/ between noon EDT on October 7, 2020 and noon EST on November 10, 2020. For detailed eligibility requirements, instructions for the application, and FAQs please click on the following link - 2022 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.
Student Success in a Virtual Environment | UC San Diego Online
We hope the first week of classes is going well for you. Below are several resources available to you:

1) UC San Diego Online: This week’s section of the “Student Success in Virtual Environment” will focus on Technology Support. Knowing how to use various systems and technology is the building block for navigating and succeeding in a virtual environment. The Teaching + Learning Commons has created content that covers how to use Single Sign-On, VPN, Zoom, CANVAS, Virtual Advising Center (VAC), troubleshoot any IT or network issues, and more! Have questions about these systems or have never heard of some of them? Check out this new section, now available on UC San Diego Online! 
2) Contact your Instructor: Students experiencing challenges participating in synchronous (live) or asynchronous sessions because of time zone differences, WIFI connection, network experience, access to VPN and other academic tools, personal/family issues, privacy and security concerns, and more are strongly encouraged to refer to the course syllabus and communicate with their faculty member directly via email or office hours to express concerns and request accommodations where needed. Your faculty members are aware of the unique challenges facing international students and are supportive of your success at UC San Diego.
Stay Connected with Fellow Tritons | iPrograms and iEvents
Sign up for these programs happening now! Stay connected with ISPO and other Tritons by taking a look at our events calendar at iEvents.ucsd.edu
iThrive: Unpacking Identity
Wednesday, Oct 7 @ 7 PM PST

iThrive is a weekly series that focuses on adjustment through the lens of an international student. This program provides students with an opportunity to explore identity and culture through group discussions, activities and presentations. This series will also highlight resources on campus that support cross-cultural exchange and communication. Through cultural and identity exploration, we can THRIVE.
ISPO Chats
Friday, Oct 9 @ 8 AM PST

Think of ISPO Chats as your monthly office hour with ISPO Leadership. ISPO deeply values the student voice and we want to hear from you. ISPO Chats is an informal time for you to share about your experience as an international student at UC San Diego as well as questions to ISPO staff. We hope that by hosting these monthly office hours, we can hear your concerns, advocate on your behalf and invest in our international student community.

ISPO Office Hours: Virtual Advising

While ISPO's Office (Student Center B) is closed to the public for in-person service through Summer 2020, we continue to provide all advising services through virtual Zoom advising! Visit iContact.ucsd.edu for various ways to contact an ISPO Advisor!
International Students & Programs Office | iStudents.ucsd.edu
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? All international students studying at UC San Diego are automatically subscribed to the iStudents Newsletter to ensure they receive proper immigration updates from our office. The information sent in this Newsletter is available on ISPO's website, iStudents.ucsd.edu, or may direct students to other external resources. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by emailing istudents@ucsd.edu. Note, all international students at UC San Diego are responsible for staying up to date with immigration regulations that may affect them. To learn more, visit our website at iStudents.ucsd.edu