March 20 Immigration Executive Order Updates

For up-to-date information on the status of President Trump's executive orders issued on January 27 and March 6, please check the National Association of International Educators (NAFSA) website: http://www.nafsa.org/Content.aspx?id=57746

March 8 Message from Satyajit Dattagupta, VP of Enrollment Management and Dean of Admissions

Dear Students,

I write to you because I am deeply saddened and angered by the attacks on three Indians in incidents in Washington, Missouri, and South Carolina. There are no words which can describe the fear and sorrow the families and communities of these victims are going through. My thoughts are always with them.

I also know that some of you have had personal experiences in New Orleans that have made you feel unwelcome. However, I believe these are isolated incidents that do not define what the United States stands for, and do not reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the millions of people who live here.

As a student when I came to this country 18 years ago, I quickly learned that there are people of good intent - and those of ill that represent every race. By living in a nation built upon hundreds of years of immigration from every part of the world, I came to see that I was just one of so very many who had come here in search of a better life.

I still believe in the American dream. I believe in an America that allows people to succeed regardless of the color of their skin, their religion, or their appearance.

However, one cannot ignore the current climate in the U.S. or that the victims in all three of these incidents targeted were Indian, and I wanted to give you some specific advice as well.

Firstly, I counsel everyone to be patient during this time. I believe that this is a phase of isolated incidents that will pass. I don’t believe anyone should jeopardize their future with any decisions in the heat of the moment.

Secondly, I would suggest caution and awareness. Do not argue or engage with people when remarks are made about your presence here. You will not change their minds. And never let their hate convince you that you are somehow less because of where you come from.

And lastly, I suggest that you think ahead to the future, to visualize your life as a successful student and professional rather than being derailed by the acts of a few ignorant people.

Immigrants have always sought new opportunities and taken brave steps across the world. In America, they have made great opportunities, built strong communities, raised families, and lived prosperous lives. And in this process, they have become another part of the success of the American dream.

We are a resilient people. Nothing will ever change that.

I also want you to know that I am available to talk with you if you need, and can reach me at satyajit@tulane.edu.

Thank you.

Satyajit Dattagupta
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission
Tulane University

March 7 OISS Update on March 6 Executive Order on Immigration

On March 6, 2017, the White House announced a new executive order impacting nationals and citizens of six countries: IRAN, LIBYA, SOMALIA, SUDAN, SYRIA, AND YEMEN, effective as of 12:01 AM EDT on March 16, 2017.

The Executive Order (EO) excludes Iraq from the original list of countries, although travelers from Iraq may experience longer delays in visa issuance.

This EO affects only those from the 6 countries who are currently outside the U.S. and do not have a valid U.S. visa. For foreign nationals from one of the six restricted countries who are currently in the United States, traveling internationally is highly inadvisable under current circumstances. Please consult with an OISS advisor if you have any questions.

Foreign nationals who are not from one of these countries planning to travel outside of the U.S. should make sure they have the necessary travel documents and a valid visa. Always check with OISS whenever in doubt. Please refer to our recent travel email for more information about preparing to leave the U.S.

This new EO DOES NOT APPLY to:

•  Lawful permanent residents of the United States (“green card” holders);

•  Any foreign national who has a document OTHER than a visa, valid on March 16, 2017 (or issued thereafter), that permits him or her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission (e.g., an Advance Parole document);

•  Any dual national of a designated country when traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country;

•  Any foreign national traveling on designated diplomatic visas; OR

•  Any foreign national who has been granted asylum, any refugee who has already been admitted to the United States, or any individual who has been granted withholding of removal, advance parole, or protection under the Convention Against Torture. Waivers of the travel ban may be available on a case-by-case basis.

The Legal Education Department at Pennsylvania State University has created a helpful summary of the new Executive Order, you can read it here.

Know your Rights at the Airport (Credit: American Civil Liberties Union):

We are aware that some of you might be worried about what your experience might be at the port of entry when interacting with a customs officer.  We would like to remind you to be honest and courteous to the officer at the port of entry, and to have your documents ready when you’re asked for them.  If you have any doubts, below are some specific guidelines about what customs officers have the authority to do:

Q. If I am entering the U.S. with valid travel papers, can law enforcement officers stop and search me?

A. Generally, customs officers may stop, detain, and search any person or item at the border. This is true even if there is nothing suspicious about you or your luggage. The government believes this authority to search without individualized suspicion extends to searches of electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones, but that is a contested legal issue. Officers, however, may not select you for a personal search or secondary inspection based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.

Q. Can law enforcement officers ask questions about my immigration status?

A. Customs officers have the authority to ask your immigration status when you are entering or returning to the United States or leaving the country. They have the power to determine whether non-U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have the right to enter the country. If you are a U.S. citizen and you have presented a valid passport, you do not have to answer officers’ questions, although refusing to answer routine questions about the nature and purpose of your travel could result in delay and/or further inspection. If you are a lawful permanent resident, we recommend you answer officers’ questions. If you are a non-citizen visa holder, you may be denied entry into the United States if you refuse to answer officers’ questions. Officers, however, may not select you for questioning based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. If you are told you cannot enter the country and you fear you might be persecuted or tortured if you are sent back to the country from which you traveled, you may tell the customs officer about your fear and ask for asylum.

Q. Do I have to provide my laptop passwords or unlock my mobile phone for law enforcement officers? Can law enforcement officers search my electronic devices or make copies of the files?

A. Officers have sometimes asked travelers to provide their laptop passwords or unlock their mobile phones. Whether you have a right to decline to provide this information is a contested legal issue. The extent to which officers have the authority to search or copy files in your electronic devices without any reasonable suspicion that the devices contain evidence of wrongdoing is also a contested issue. U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry to the United States for refusing to provide passwords or unlock devices, but refusal to do so might lead to delay, lengthy questioning, and/or officers seizing your device for further inspection. For lawful permanent residents and non-citizen visa holders, refusing to cooperate might also lead to officers denying your entry into the country. If an officer searches and/or confiscates your laptop or cell phone, write down his or her name and get a receipt for your property. 

Q. What if I wear a religious head covering and I am selected by airport security officials for additional screening?

A. You have the right to wear your religious head covering. You should assert your right to wear your religious head covering if asked to remove it before going through airport security screening. If an alarm goes off, however, airport security officers may request additional screening. They may then conduct a pat-down of your religious head covering or ask you to remove it. You have the right to request that the pat-down or removal be conducted by a person of your gender and that it occurs in a private area. If you do not want the TSA officer to touch your religious head covering, you must refuse and say that you would prefer to pat down your own religious head covering. You will then be taken aside and a TSA officer will supervise you as you pat down your religious head covering. After the pat-down, the TSA officer may rub your hands with a small cotton cloth and place it in a machine to test for chemical residue. If you pass this chemical residue test, you should be allowed to proceed to your flight. If the TSA officer insists on the removal of your religious head covering, you have a right to ask that it be done in a private area. Officers may not conduct additional screening based solely on your race, national origin, religion, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.

For a complete run-down of what your rights are at airports and other ports of entry in the U.S. you can visit the ACLU website.

OISS will continue to monitor the situation and any updates (as well as this e-mail) will be posted on our blog.  If you have any questions or concerns in the coming days, please do not hesitate to contact our office at any time.  If you aren’t sure what to do, we would recommend that you seek the counsel of an immigration lawyer, there is currently free legal assistance available for issues related to the executive order.  E-mail us back to let us know if you need recommendations.

Office of International Students and Scholars

Tulane University

6901 Willow Street

New Orleans, LA 70118

(504) 865-5208

Web: http://cge.tulane.edu/oiss/

FB: facebook.com/oiss.tulane

March 6 Trump Issue New Executive Order on Immigration

Today's Washington Post Article about the new executive order on immigration.


Please note that the information regarding the president's executive orders is being regularly updated. OISS is working with our campus partners and professional associations to assess this information as it continues to develop. We recommend consulting an experienced immigration attorney prior to international travel or taking any actions related to your immigration status.

March 4 Know your Rights Resources

Know Your Rights materials produced by the National Day Labor Organizing Network:

Know Your Rights!
If you or someone you know has been the victim of an immigration raid or hate crime, report it! Call 1-844-878-7801. Find our more information about your rights here.  http://altotrump.com/resources/know-your-rights/ .

The website offers 7 new pamphlets (available in English and in Spanish) on the following topics:

          1. Know Your Rights General one pager
          2. General Know your Rights extended version
          3. What to Do if ICE Shows Up at Your Home
          4. What to Do if ICE Stops You in the Street or in a Public Place
          5. What to Do if ICE Shows Up at Your Workplace
          6. What to Do if You Are Arrested
          7. What to Do if A Loved One is Arrested

March 3 Executive Orders Update and Reminders for Travel for Spring Break

Greetings,

Given that Spring Break is just a few weeks away, we would like to provide you with some updates on where things stand with President Trump’s immigration executive order, and also remind you of travel requirements in order to return to the U.S.

The immigration executive order issued on January 27 is still suspended by a federal court, but there are indications that a new executive order on immigration will be issued soon.

We recommend the following related to travel outside the U.S. for individuals subject to the executive order or who hold DACA status:

• If you are from one of the seven countries listed (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen), or are a DACA individual, we recommend that you do NOT travel outside the U.S. or purchase nonrefundable airfare until we know the details of the new executive order.

        If you are not from one of the seven countries and you do not hold DACA status, please review the following information related to travel outside the U.S.: 

• We do not anticipate other countries will be added to the list of banned countries. However, given the uncertainty that exists at the moment, we still urge you to consider whether travel outside the U.S. is necessary at this time.
•  If you are planning on leaving the country for spring break, please take the time to review the immigration responsibilities particular to your visa, and do not do anything that would jeopardize your immigration status in the U.S. 
• You can expect longer customs and security checks at your point of entry. Note that anything on your person and your electronic devices are subject to search at the port of entry.
•  If you will be applying for a visa renewal, you can also expect longer visa processing times.
•  Check your I-20 or DS-2019 now to see whether or not you need a travel signature. If you do, please come to the OISS to request your travel signature as soon as possible. We recommend you come at least 1 – 2 weeks before you travel, as no same-day requests will be processed.

J-1/F-1 Visa Holders: Documents needed to re-enter the U.S.:

• I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature (less than a year old on the day you plan to enter      the U.S.)
• Valid passport (expiration 6 months past the date you plan to enter the U.S.)
• Valid F or J visa
•  I‐901 SEVIS fee payment receipt (to print, visit www.fmjfee.com and click “Check Status”)
•  We also recommend you get a letter from OISS or your department indicating your status at      Tulane.

H-1B/TN Visa Holders: Documents needed to re-enter the U.S.:

• Valid I-797 Approval Notice or Proof of TN status
• Valid passport (expiration 6 months past the date you plan to enter the U.S.
• Valid H-1B visa
• We also recommend you get a letter from your department indicating your employment status at Tulane

OPT Status: Documents needed to re-enter the U.S.:

• Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card)
• Proof of employment, such as an employment contract or letter from your employer
• I-20 with valid travel signature (less than 6 months old on the day you plan to enter the U.S.)
• Valid passport (expiration 6 months past the date you plan to enter the U.S.
•   I‐901 SEVIS fee payment receipt (to print, visit www.fmjfee.com and click “Check Status”)

If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact the OISS. 

Do not forget to check our blog for further updates as well.

Office of International Students and Scholars

Tulane University

6901 Willow Street

New Orleans, LA 70118

(504) 865-5208

Web: http://cge.tulane.edu/oiss/

FB: facebook.com/oiss.tulane

March 2 Trump Delays New Travel Ban Order

President Trump was expected to announce a new Travel Ban Executive Order yesterday, but did not. Find out more here.


Please note that the information regarding the president's executive order is being regularly updated. OISS is working with our campus partners and professional associations to assess this information as it continues to develop. We recommend consulting an experienced immigration attorney prior to international travel or taking any actions related to your immigration status.

March 1 ProQuest Launches Displaced Researchers Program

ProQuest has launched a program to provide no-cost access to its databases for students and researchers who have been separated from their universities and libraries because of travel bans or other immigration changes.  Find more information here.

Please note that the information regarding the president's executive order is being regularly updated. OISS is working with our campus partners and professional associations to assess this information as it continues to develop. We recommend consulting an experienced immigration attorney prior to international travel or taking any actions related to your immigration status.