Immigration Updates

Agency Actions

1. On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS) and other relevant agencies to “re-establish a uniform baseline for screening and vetting standards and procedures, consistent with the uniform baseline that existed on January 19, 2021,” and to “vet and screen to the maximum degree possible all aliens who intend to be admitted, enter, or are already inside the United States” through Executive Order 14161.
2. Executive Order 14161, published on January 20, 2025, instructed the heads of the US Department of State (DOS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other relevant agencies to submit a joint report within 60 days identifying “countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA.”
   In light of this order, it is widely anticipated that additional travel restrictions or requirements (often referred to as a “travel ban”) will soon be introduced for travelers seeking to enter the US, though no official proclamation has yet been finalized. At this time, reports have identified some countries which may be subject to these new restrictions, but no official communications regarding final countries or scope have been made.

Recommendations and Resources

• At this time, the Cranwell International Center recommends that international students on the F-1 or J-1 visa reconsider all non-essential travel. While travel guidelines and regulations have not changed, it is anticipated that major changes will be enacted in the coming months. Updates to the CIC’s recommendations will be made at that time.
• Cranwell’s Travel and Re-Entry page.
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Electronic Device Searches at U.S. Ports of Entry: What You Need to Know.

Agency Actions

1. Current visa interview wait times are no longer publicized, and the available global wait times page has not been updated since January 7, 2025.
2. On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS) and other relevant agencies to “re-establish a uniform baseline for screening and vetting standards and procedures, consistent with the uniform baseline that existed on January 19, 2021,” and to “vet and screen to the maximum degree possible all aliens who intend to be admitted, enter, or are already inside the United States” through Executive Order 14161.
   The visa interview waiver policy was updated on February 18, 2025, to rescind a prior expansion of interview waiver authority, reinstating the statutory 12-month post-expiration period for applicants who previously held a visa in the same category.
3. On March 5, 2025, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a note in the Federal Register confirming its intention to conform to new, rigorous vetting standards by requiring collection of all information necessary to determine inadmissibility or basis for denial of immigration-based benefits. To do this, USCIS has identified a need to “collect social media identifiers (“handles”) and associated social media platform names from applicants to enable and help inform identity verification, national security and public safety screening, and vetting, and related inspections.” This rule has not yet been finalized, and comments will be collected until May 5, 2025, after which point a decision will be made whether to alter or publish the policy.

Recommendations and Resources

• F-1 and J-1 students who do intend to travel outside the US should confirm that their visa is unexpired, or should plan for delays when renewing their visa.
• International applicants applying for their initial F-1 or J-1 visa should anticipate longer visa wait times and more extensive vetting of their application materials at the US embassy or consulate.
• DOS: Interview Waiver Eligibility (updated February 18, 2025).

Agency Actions

1. USCIS guidance released on February 25, 2025, which will go into effect on April 11, 2025, requires children 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 requirement will impact F-2, J-2, H-4 dependents and young F-1/J-1 students who entered before age 14.

2. Beginning on April 2, 2025, it is reported that SEVIS record terminations are being carried out by DHS’ Student and Exchange Program (SEVP) officials. Records targeted for termination are reportedly those of students who fall into at least one of the three following categories:
   
   • Those who have engaged in targeted protests or speech.
   • Those with a past arrest or criminal conviction.
   • Those who have had their visa revoked.
   It is unknown at this time whether all students with manually terminated records will be targeted for removal, but SEVP’s assertions and citations clearly indicate that it is US federal agencies’ belief that impacted individuals are deportable.
3. On April 5, 2025, Secretary of State Rubio declared that the DOS would be revoking the visas of all South Sudan passport holders.

Recommendations and Resources

• Murthy Law Firm: F-1 Student Visa Revocations/SEVIS Terminations.
• F-2 and J-2 dependents should be registered using the resources provided by USCIS for meeting the Alien Registration Requirement.
• Fragomen Global LLP: “What Foreign Nationals Need to Know about DHS’s New Online Registration Requirement”.
• National Immigration Law Center: “Know Your Rights”.
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Find an Immigration Lawyer Tool.

Agency Actions

1. On January 21, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded an earlier guidance memo which restricted enforcement actions undertaken in certain protected locations such as schools, colleges, hospitals and churches.
2. A Federal Register notice published by DHS on January 24, 2025, rescinded an earlier expedited removal policy and restored the full scope of expedited removal granted by the Immigration and Nationalities Act (INA).
3. On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, requiring DHS to detain non-US citizens arrested for burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting.
4. On February 28, 2025, DHS and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a joint memorandum stating that “USCIS will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement, which includes referring cases to ICE and issuance of [Notices to Appear]... Typically, USCIS will issue an NTA after taking adverse action on a benefit request (i.e., denying an application).” A notice to appear typically precedes deportation proceedings.
5. In March 2025, removal proceedings were initiated against individuals at several US universities citing Executive Order 14188 and the INA 237(a)(4)(C)/8 USC 1227(a)(4)(C) as the basis for the enforcement actions.
6. On March 25, 2025, the DHS ended humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans via a notice published in the Federal Register.
7. A news release published by USCIS on April 9, 2025 indicated that the agency would begin considering activity on social media which is considered to be "antisemitic" in nature to be grounds for the denial of immigration benefits. This change will impact "lawful permanent residents, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity."

Recommendations and Resources

• VT students who are attending while on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are encouraged to reach out to Cranwell to discuss their eligibility to apply for and obtain F-1 status.
• Keep copies of all relevant documentation (I-20 or DS-2019, visa, passport, etc.) on you at all times.
• National Immigration Law Center: “Know Your Rights”.
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Find an Immigration Lawyer Tool.

Agency Actions

1. A Federal Register notice published on March 14, 2025, declared “all federal efforts related to border control, immigration, and cross-border transactions” by any agency fall under the foreign affairs function exemption of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). This could result in major changes to the way in which agencies issue and implement immigration-related regulations, including the removal of the public comment period and making legal challenges more difficult.
2. On March 21,2025, it is reported that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has undergone a “reduction in force” which impacts oversight offices such as the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman’s Office. Smaller staffs could result in increased processing times, service delays and difficulties in filing review or case check requests.
3. A new memorandum of understanding between the IRS and DHS published on April 7, 2025, clears the way for the IRS to begin sharing tax information regarding non-citizens without legal status with immigration authorities.

Recommendations and Resources

• Graduate students whose assistantships or research are dependent upon federal funding should monitor Virginia Tech’s Federal Agency Updates page.
• F-1 and J-1 visa holders should apply as early as possible for all immigration benefits, such as OPT for F-1 visa holders, and should anticipate longer wait times and processing times from US agencies like USCIS.
• If you are a Fulbright, or attending VT on a J-1 visa sponsored by US federal funds, consider requesting that your record be transferred to Cranwell to be sponsored through VT. You can reach out to international@vt.edu to discuss whether you would be eligible for this transfer.

Immigration Scams

During this period of uncertainty, it is likely that the US will see an increase in immigration scams targeting international students or other non-immigrant visa holders. These scams are designed to create a feeling of panic and urgency, and are made convincing through the use of personal information about your visa status or benefits which has been illegally obtained. Those targeted by these scams may find themselves taking actions they otherwise would not if they were not experiencing intense anxiety or fear. Scammers fall back on these tactics because they are effective, and anyone can fall victim to them.

Please be vigilant for any communications (phone calls, emails, etc.) which could be indicative of an immigration-based scam, and report any suspicious messages to either VTPD or the Blacksburg Police Department.

Recommendations and Resources

• Report any suspected scam to Department of Homeland Security's Investigations Tip Line.
• This is recommended for international students who are targeted, and the Study in the States website has a link to the tip line for these specific scams.
• Set up a reminder to regularly check your SAVE record.
• If the scammers have personal information, they may attempt to use your ID numbers (SSN, SEVIS ID, passport number, etc.) to submit fraudulent requests. SAVE keeps track of any requests made using your personal information, such as applications for driver's licenses, additional SSNs, etc. A SAVE case check can identify these fraudulent uses.
• Enroll in credit monitoring, if you have not already done so, to ensure that the scammers are not able to open credit cards or other financial agreements using your SSN, if you have one.
• Student Legal Services has a quick write-up of how to check your credit report and suggestions on how to proceed if you do find something questionable on your report.