Immigration Policy Updates

Click on the link below to learn more information about maintaining status and travel inside the U.S.

• Maintain F-1 Status

General Advice:

• If you are involved in an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other law enforcement officers, stay calm and do not obstruct the agents or officers. 
• Do not lie to officers or give false documents.
• Stay calm; do not run from, fight, or argue with law enforcement officers. 
• Remember that you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with and be represented by an attorney. 
  • We do not recommend saying anything, signing anything, or making any decisions regarding your status or safety without consulting with an attorney.
• Remember that you can request to see badges, identification, and relevant court warrants when speaking with law enforcement. 

Document Records:

• Apply the 3-2-1 rule for maintaining backups of your necessary records: Make three copies, keep them in two separate locations, with one location off-site.
• Keep a folder of printed copies of any essential documents with you when you are traveling.
• Have records of the following documents:
  • For Students and Exchange Visitors, your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
  • Your most recent Form I-94 showing legal entry into the United States or showing successful change of status within the United States.
  • Your most currently issued visa -- even if expired, this can help show that you were legally entitled to enter the United States.
  • Your current passport.
  • If your immigration status includes a benefit that provides work authorization, keep a copy of your Employment Authorization Document. This may either be in the form of your Form I-766 EAD or your I-797 Notice of Action showing approval for your change of status to a work-authorized status (e.g., H-1B)
  • Approval notices (I-797, Notice of Action) relating to a successful submission of Forms I-821 / I-821D, or subsequent confirmations of advance parole following a submission of Form I-140.
  • Any appropriate documentation for your dependents.
  • Any other documents that establish that you are legally in the United States, have residency within the United States, and are complying with both the requirements for maintaining your status in the United States and in your home country.
• If you have medications that you are required to take, keep a record of the prescriptions and contact information for the prescribing physician and filling pharmacy.
• Photocopies of some documents (including, but not limited to, drivers' licenses, social security cards, passports) are not usable as legal copies of those documents for their intended purpose, but may be sufficient to show that the originals exist.
  • We would not recommend using photographs on your phone to show documents to a law enforcement officer. If you do use digital photos on your phone or other personal device as a means to provide documents, please be aware that doing so may be construed as giving that officer consent to search your device. 

Contacts and Personal Information: 

• Commit to memory the phone numbers and relevant addresses for 
  • Immediate Family
  • Friends or Trusted persons who may hold your immigration record backups.
  • Employer or HR Contact for your academic office.
  • NSU Office of International Programs
  • Your Immigration Attorney
• Be sure you know your local address, your phone number.
• If you have received an immigration number (A-number), commit it to memory.
• The contact information for your local embassy or consulate.

Emergency Preparedness:

• If you have dependents, including children who may be in a different immigration status from you, make emergency plans for how they will be cared for in the event that you are detained.
• If you have medications that you need to take, make plans for how you would show that you need that medication in the event of being detained. Make plans to have a friend or family member be able to help you get access to this medicine in the event you are detained. 
• Keep a copy of your important documents with a person you trust who will be able to provide those documents in the event of an emergency.

If you are I-20 has been terminated or your visa has been cancelled, it is recommended you take the following actions:

1. Inform the Office of International Programs about your situation. If you are calling our office after hours, please leave a message at 918-444-2050 and email oip@nsuok.edu and one our staff members.
2. Seek legal counsel from an experienced immigration attorney.