Staying Current on Your Immigration

Issue 7

Greetings,

Two weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued new guidance that was highly restrictive for international students. Response from the higher education community was swift, and UMD joined other universities, states and organizations in filing suits against the July 6 policy guidance. On July 14, a U.S. federal judge announced that the U.S government has agreed to rescind the July 6 guidance . ISSS is seeking clarification on some elements of the current policy, but we continue to advocate on your behalf, get the answers you need, and help you find solutions.

How does this change impact you as a newly admitted student?  If you plan on attending in person for Fall 2020: In order to enter the U.S. for Fall 2020, newly admitted students will still need an in-person or blended course. Please ensure you are registered for an in-person or blended course prior to completing your Fall 2020 Enrollment Intent form .  SEVIS transfer and program level change students outside the U.S. who plan to enter the U.S. should also ensure they are not enrolled in fully online courses. You are required to register for one in-person or blended course. Review the FAQ for information on travel restrictions.  If you plan on remaining outside the U.S. for Fall 2020: The regulation change has no impact on your Fall 2020 enrollment plans. Complete the Fall 2020 Enrollment Intent Form and register for any number of online courses in consultation with your academic department. Review the FAQ for information on course enrollment, orientation and more.

Today’s Tip: How to keep your immigration status current

1. Check the Schedule of Classes Last week, the Office of Registrar will release the full list of courses indicating if they are in person, hybrid or completely online.

Go to https://testudo.umd.edu/ Click on Schedule of Classes Select the particular class you are interested in taking

If a building location is listed for the section, then it will be completed in person or face-to-face (no icon is used to represent these courses in Testudo).

If you see a computer icon the course is 100% online.

If the icon includes both a computer and a person, it is a hybrid course (also known as a blended learning course).

When do I register for courses?  Undergraduate student register during New Student Orientation. Graduate students should reach out to your program regarding registration.

2. Complete the Fall 2020 Enrollment Intent Form Your Fall 2020 Enrollment Intent Form is due by July 31. ISSS will use this form to update your immigration paperwork as necessary. Please indicate whether you intend to complete your course work in person, outside the U.S., or if you will defer enrollment to a future term. Newly admitted students still require an in-person or blended course if they plan to attend in-person for the Fall 2020 term.

Understand the new I-20s and electronic distribution. ISSS has moved to an electronic distribution method for I-20 documents. Whether an I-20 is newly created, or being updated because of a change in immigration plans, students will no longer have their I-20s shipped. Instead, an electronic I-20 is sent to the email address from a student’s record. Please make sure to print any I-20 distributed to you before a visa interview or attempting to cross U.S. borders. Students entering the U.S. for Fall 2020 will receive an updated I-20 with the following remark: The University of Maryland is not fully online for Fall 2020 and this student is enrolled in a blended or face-to-face course.

3. Monitor Your Embassy for Upcoming Visa Appointments On July 14, the U.S Department of State confirmed plans for a Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services.  “The resumption of routine visa services will occur on a post-by-post basis, in coordination with the Department’s Diplomacy Strong framework for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities.”  Please note that while visa services are resuming, some travel restrictions remain in place. The five geographical travel restrictions still apply; however, official guidance was posted on July 15 that now allows travel for students from the Schengen area, United Kingdom and Ireland. Students from the other restricted regions (China, Brazil and Iran) who need a visa or wish to travel should reach out to the U.S. embassies to see what process they should follow to request a national interest exception as a student.   Click here to find your embassy’s website. Click here to find approximate F-1 visa wait times. If I am planning to attend in person in Spring 2021, should I apply for a visa now? Studying remotely in the fall should not preclude you from applying for your visa to come in January. Should your appointment be canceled because the consulate has not yet re-opened, reschedule as soon as you can.

Upcoming ISSS Events

International Zoom Coffee Hour Join us on Thursdays throughout the summer semester for an opportunity where UMD’s international students and scholars can meet and engage with faculty staff and other students at the university. Everyone is invited! Thursday, July 23 at 9 a.m. ET - Register Thursday July 30 at 3 p.m. ET - Register

English Conversation Partners Program English Conversation Partners brings together our UMD community from all over the world to engage in interesting discussions with each other. For ten weeks during the fall semester, participants (students, spouses, faculty, staff) meet in groups with a fluent English speaking facilitator. These groups provide an opportunity to learn from one another, make friends, and become more comfortable and confident speaking English. Topics include: U.S. culture, food, travel, politics, and whatever else you like to talk about! Talk to you soon!  These are designed as virtual group opportunities. In-person activities may be available depending on health guidance.    To learn more about the ECP program, please attend one of our information sessions.  Tuesday, July 21 at 8 p.m. ET - Register Wednesday, July 29 at 9 a.m. ET - Register Wednesday, August 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET - Register Thursday, August 14 at 9 a.m. ET - Register 

In Case You Missed It

Eating and Living Like a Terp International Orientation Leaders hosted a live panel about what it is like to live at UMD. Find out their favorite restaurants,and study spaces on campus. This recording is best suited for students who plan to come in person to UMD in the fall.  Graduate Student Life at UMD On July 2, Graduate Student Life staff shared ways you can stay engaged and connected with the campus and other students throughout your graduate school journey. Leasing in the U.S. Review the recording from a virtual presentation on June 24, with William Zachariah Mundy, attorney, and Director for the Graduate Student Legal Aid Office, where he discussed best practices in leasing in the U.S. Off-Campus Housing Webinar Review the recording from a virtual walk-through on June 26, on how to find off-campus housing at UMD. Presented by Jennifer Ruth Lindstrom, Manager for Housing Partnerships, Off-Campus Housing Services.

Missed a Tip of the Week? You can find previous Tips of the Week on our website by clicking here !

We hope that you find these emails informative and helpful. You are receiving them because you have been accepted to the University of Maryland for the Fall 2020 semester. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD and would like to stop receiving ISSS emails, please inform ISSS via your iTerp checklist, your department, and either the Graduate School (graduate students) or the undergraduate admissions office (undergraduate students) that you decline your admission.