Alerts and Announcements

U.S. consular officials have started screening student and other international visa applicants’ social media accounts as part of the visa application process. The U.S. Department of State expects visa applicants to adjust the privacy settings on their social media accounts to “public.” The State Department uses all available information during visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security. 

As a reminder to all travelers entering the US, be aware of standard procedures at ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices–including phones, laptops, and tablets–of any individual entering the United States, including both U.S. citizens and non-citizens. These searches are permitted under longstanding federal policy. For more information about CBP’s authority, as well as data use and privacy policies, please review CBP’s webpage about searching electronic devices. 

UPDATE:  

Presidential Proclamation of December 16, 2025: Restricting and limiting the entry of foreign nationals to protect the security of the United States establishes a “full” travel ban on 19 countries and a “partial” travel ban on 14 countries.  Effective date: The proclamation is effective at 12:01 am Eastern daylight time on January 1, 2026. 

Read: 

The Proclamation on whitehouse.gov 

White House Fact Sheet on the Proclamation 

Effective date: The proclamation is effective at 12:01 am Eastern daylight time on January 1, 2026. 

Full ban countries: The Proclamation continues the full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries established under Proclamation 10949: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. 

It adds full restrictions and entry limitations on 5 additional countries based on recent analysis: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. 

It also adds full restrictions and entry limitations on individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents. 

Partial ban countries: The Proclamation continues partial restrictions of nationals from 4 of the 7 original high-risk countries: Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela. 

It adds partial restrictions and entry limitations on 15 additional countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  

Exceptions: The ban provisions are applicable only to nationals of the subject country who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. Individuals who are inside the United States on January 1, 2026, or who are outside the United States on that date but have a visa that is valid as of January 1, 2026, would likely not be covered by the ban.  

The proclamation states that “No immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of this proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to this proclamation.”  

The Proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories like athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests. 

As you may have read in recent news coverage, some international students across the United States have recently had their visas revoked and their SEVIS records terminated. 

News reports suggest that these revocations and terminations are occurring as a result of political activity related to the Israel/Gaza conflict, past law enforcement issues (such as arrests/convictions for driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, domestic violence, or other unlawful acts), and/or prior visa infractions. 

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the government’s database for tracking international students and scholars with F-1 and J-1 visa status. Traditionally, SEVIS terminations have been initiated by a university’s Designated School Officials (ISSS staff serve as UNCG’s DSOs) following a change in or violation of a student’s status. However, recently the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has invoked its inherent authority to terminate student SEVIS records itself. Termination of a SEVIS record by DHS ends that student’s lawful status in the U.S.  Upon learning that a student’s SEVIS record has been terminated by DHS, ISSS will notify the student.  Students in those circumstances should consult with legal counsel. 

When the U.S. Department of State revokes a visa, it typically sends a notification to the email address listed on the visa application. Note that this may not be your university email address. The university is not routinely informed of visa revocations, so if you receive such a notice, please inform the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). 

There have been reports of inconsistent notification practices. If you are concerned that your visa may have been revoked and have not been notified, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued the visa or check your visa status using the Department of State’s Visa Status Check portal. 

No. An expired visa is not the same as a revoked visa. A visa is used only for entry into the United States; it does not determine how long you may stay. The length of your authorized stay is determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the time of entry, as reflected on your Form I-94 and supported by a valid SEVIS Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students and scholars). 

If your visa has expired and you leave the U.S., you will need to obtain a new visa before reentering. 

If you are notified that your visa has been revoked, please contact ISSS with the information you received. ISSS will consult the SEVIS database to determine if your SEVIS record reflects termination.  A SEVIS record termination indicates that F-1 or J-1 status has ended. 

If a student’s visa is revoked and/or their SEVIS record is terminated, their next step is to consult with an immigration attorney. 

Under federal regulations, a nonimmigrant (F-1) student who fails to maintain status is not eligible for an additional period for departure (8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(iv)) and is no longer authorized for on-campus employment or curricular practical training (8 CFR 274a.12(b)(6)). The termination of status could also impact a student’s enrollment. Students on post-completion practical training (OPT or STEM OPT) will no longer have work authorization. J-1 students are will no longer be authorized for Academic Training. 

It is important to note that remaining in the United States without lawful immigration status may result in fines, detention, and/or removal (deportation), and could also impact eligibility for future U.S. visas. 

Yes! Effective April 11, 2025, non-U.S. citizens who stay in the U.S. for 30 days or longer are required to register online with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and have their biometrics (fingerprints) collected. Many individuals who already have certain immigration documents (such as an I-94 arrival record) may already be considered registered. Non-immigrant visa holders, including international students and scholars who hold F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, or TN status, as well as their dependent family members who entered the U.S. at the age of 14 or older, were automatically registered when they entered the U.S. This means many foreign nationals are already registered and typically do not need to take any further action. 

Those who must register include, but are not limited to: 

•  Non-citizens 14 years and older staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days must register with DHS. Parents or legal guardians must register children under 14 and within 30 days after their 14th birthday.  
• Canadian citizens who travel into the U.S. and did not receive an I-94 or fingerprinting must also register if staying for 30 days or longer. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a new online form G-325R and fingerprinting requirements to help with compliance. Before taking any steps, please consult the DHS Alien Registration Requirement webpage for more details. Additionally, for useful information on the Alien Registration Requirement, please click here. 

As a reminder, this is intended to be informational and is not legal advice or an endorsement by UNC Greensboro. 

Federal law requires registered non-citizens to report any address change to DHS within 10 days of moving and carry proof of their registration at all times (such as Form I-94, current EAD, or permanent residency card). While these are not new requirements, they are important to keep in mind as you review other policy updates.  

UNC Greensboro recognizes that immigration matters are often complex and deeply personal. UNCG International Student and Scholar Services is available to consult on University-sponsored visa compliance and immigration-related travel issues for individuals holding current F-1 and J-1 status. The provost office manages the H1B program at UNCG.  

However, the University cannot provide legal representation to students or employees in personal immigration matters, including detention scenarios, and does not endorse any particular attorney or legal service.  

• Students may contact the Dean of Students Office for referral assistance.  
• University employees may contact the Employee Assistance Program.  
• Resources may be found at AILAlawyer.org and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representative Directory.  

1. Identify yourself with your name. 

2. Do not answer any more personal questions. 

3. Do not sign any papers. 

4. Say that you want to speak to a lawyer. 

5. If they attempt to search you, your car, your home, or your belongings, say that you DO NOT consent to the search. 

6. If you are arrested, you have the right to remain silent, speak to a lawyer (do NOT sign anything before this), and make a call. 

7. Tell them if you have a medical condition that requires attention. 

8. Tell them if you have a child at home or school who needs care. 

9. Remain calm, act respectfully, but be firm and assert your rights. 
10. Create a plan for what to do if you or someone in your family is arrested. Carry a Know Your Rights card and important phone numbers (your lawyers, an immigrants’ rights organization, and your children’s school). 

1. Do not open your door until you know who is at your door. 
2. Do not let immigration officers into your home or dormitory even if they show you a “Warrant for Arrest of an Alien” issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 
3. DHS and ICE warrants do not NOT authorize officers to enter your home or dormitory. Politely ask the officers to leave a business card outside your door and ask them to leave. Call a lawyer. 
4. If immigration officers have an “Arrest Warrant” or a “Search and Seizure Warrant” issued by a United States District Court, ask the officers to slip the document under your door or through the mail slot so that you can review it. Call a lawyer before opening the door. 
5. If officers force their way into your home, do not resist, but tell the officers you do not consent to their entrance, refuse to answer questions, and say you want to speak to a lawyer. 
6. Make sure everyone who lives in your home understands what to do if immigration officers come to your door. 
7. Carry a Know Your Rights card and important phone numbers (your lawyers, an immigrants’ rights organization, and your children’s school). 

Any request for student or employee information should be referred to the UNCG Police Department who will coordinate with the Office of Institutional Integrity and General Counsel. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other privacy laws may prohibit disclosure without a subpoena or court order, and the University does not disclose private student or employee information unless required by law. 

In recent days, universities across the country have reported a rise in unexpected SEVIS terminations involving international students and exchange visitors. These cases have primarily involved individuals in F-1 (academic student) and J-1 (exchange visitor) status, both of which are monitored in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). 

A termination means that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)—part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—has changed an individual’s SEVIS record to inactive, based on a determination that they are no longer maintaining valid nonimmigrant status. When this occurs: 

• The individual’s F-1 or J-1 status ends immediately; 

• Any associated employment authorization (such as OPT, STEM OPT, or Academic Training) is no longer valid; and 

• The individual may be considered out of status and should not continue working. 

In many recent cases, no advance notice or explanation has been provided to the student or the institution. The reasons for these terminations are not yet clear, and campuses are continuing to monitor their SEVIS records and follow developments closely. 

If you receive a termination notification, you should: 

• Stop working immediately; 

• Consult a qualified immigration attorney (resources may be found at AILAlawyer.org) and contact your consulate; and 

• Share any relevant correspondence from federal agencies with the University’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), if you are comfortable doing so. 

UNC Greensboro is closely monitoring SEVIS records and providing accurate information and appropriate referrals to impacted individuals in accordance with federal law. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices—including phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices—of anyone entering the U.S., including U.S. citizens and non-citizens. For general information, data use and retention policies, and privacy and transparency questions, review CPB’s webpage about searching electronic devices.

UNC Greensboro has a policy for traveling internationally with University-owned property, including University-owned electronic devices. For more information, please review the UNCG Scholar page and plan to complete all forms for review at least two weeks prior to travel.