Immigration Policy Watch: Executive Actions & Announcements

May 29, 2025

A version of the following message was shared with active F-1 and J-1 students from China under Emory’s immigration sponsorship.

You may have seen recent news regarding a press release from the US Department of State (DOS), announcing plans to collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to revoke visas for Chinese students with "connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields."

DOS also indicated that they would review visa criteria to "enhance scrutiny" of all future visa applications from China and Hong Kong.

At this time, no implementation details have been announced.  

We have created this page to provide updates as more information becomes available from the US government.

In the meantime, we advise Chinese students currently in the US to postpone any international travel, if possible, until the US government announces its implementation details, in order to avoid potential complications. Please note that while the revocation of a visa stamp alone does not impact your lawful presence in the US, it would prevent re-entry following international travel. Legal remedies or recourse options are limited—if available at all—once an individual is outside the US. If you are currently outside the US, please feel free to contact your ISSS advisor to discuss possible options.   

We recognize that this government announcement may be distressing and create a sense of uncertainty. Please know that international students are valued members of the Emory community. We care about you and are here for you. A comprehensive range of support services and resources are available to all members of the university community.   

For any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Click here for for details and updates regarding F-1 and J-1 visa appointment scheduling.

1/21/2025: The following email message was sent to international students and scholars under Emory’s immigration sponsorship.

We hope that you are staying safe and warm despite hazardous weather conditions in the area.

The new US presidential administration has announced some executive actions.  We are writing to share some key points pertaining to international students and scholars under Emory’s immigration sponsorship.

Here are some key points:

• None of the executive actions includes an immediate, broad entry or travel ban, despite some news headlines. The US President instead directed government agencies to recommend travel restrictions within the next 30 to 60 days.
• The president also directed government agencies to establish enhanced screening and vetting standards and procedures for visa applicants and immigration benefits.
• ISSS has been closely monitoring any immigration-related changes that affect international students and scholars under our immigration sponsorship, and we will continue to do so.

You might be wondering if there is anything you can or should do now.  Please consider the following:

• We understand that this can be an anxious time for some people.  Please know that Emory offers a wide range of support services.  Please do not hesitate to utilize these resources.
• Continue to do what you are supposed to do under your specific immigration status.
  • As always, maintaining valid immigration status is important.
  • If you have any questions about how to maintain your immigration status (F-1, J-1, H-1B, E-3, TN, or O-1), please contact your ISSS advisor.
• In terms of travel:
  • If you plan to travel outside the US, including Canada or Mexico, during this spring semester, please contact your ISSS advisor this week to discuss your travel plans.  As usual, it is important to discuss your travel plans before you leave the US.
  • If you are currently outside the US, including Canada or Mexico, please contact your ISSS advisor this week to discuss proactive steps to consider.  Based on our two emails last month, there shouldn’t be anyone who is currently outside the US without informing ISSS – but just in case you accidentally forgot to let us know.
• If you have pursued or considered different immigration options unrelated to our immigration sponsorship, we recommend that you consult an immigration attorney.
• If you have had any encounters with law enforcement, we recommend that you consult an immigration attorney if you haven’t already. 

Uncertainty can be challenging.  We are here to support you.  Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Update – March 13, 2025

The US government has announced a new process for meeting the Alien Registration requirement for individuals who have not previously registered. As explained in the previous announcement, international students and scholars (and their dependents) who received an I-94 for their most recent entry to the US have already met the registration requirement and do not need to complete the new process.

However, individuals who entered the US prior to the age of 14 must complete the new registration process within 30 days of their 14th birthday, even if they have a valid I-94. If you have a child in a dependent immigration status who will turn 14 while in the US, please review the USCIS website for instructions on how to complete the registration process.

As a reminder, it is important to carry your I-94 copy with you at all times while in the US as it is your proof of US immigration inspection or registration. You can find more information about the I-94 here.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your ISSS advisor or meet with an ISSS advisor during our daily walk-in advising hours.  

2/28/2025: Versions of the following message were shared with international students and scholars under Emory’s immigration sponsorship.  

The US government has announced the Alien Registration Requirement, which requires certain individuals to complete a registration process with USCIS. This measure is a result of President Trump’s Protecting the American People Against Invasion executive order. 

For international students and scholars in F-1, J-1, E-3, H-1B, O-1, or TN status, this change does not apply to you, as long as you have an I-94 documenting your most recent entry to the US.  

If you have family members in the dependent status particular to your immigration status, it does not apply to them either, as they should also have their own I-94. But if you have a child in the dependent immigration status who will turn 14 while staying in the US, contact your ISSS advisor for guidance.

ISSS would like to remind you of the following:

• As usual, check for your I-94 for accuracy after each international trip, including brief trips to Canada or Mexico.   
  • If you haven’t checked your I-94 after the most recent entry into the US, review it today. You can access your I-94 here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home.
  • Although rare, I-94 can be in paper format.
  • Pay close attention to the ‘Class of Admission’ and ‘Admit Until Date’.
• If you notice any errors on your I-94, email your ISSS advisor immediately without delay.
• Under requirement, entering the US via land borders is not recommended as DHS might accidentally neglect to issue a new I-94.
• While in the US, carry your I-94 copy with you at all times as it is your proof of US immigration inspection or registration.
• Let us/ISSS know of your international travel plans before leaving the US, not after. We recommend informing us at least 2-3 weeks prior to the departure date. The link to the travel information e-form can be found here.
• We are available 24/7 to support you in case of an emergency. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your ISSS advisor or meet with an ISSS advisor during our daily walk-in advising hours.   

Update - June 19, 2020

In a recent teleconference, US Department of State (DOS) indicated that they will not make public the list of entities in China that implements or supports China's "military-civil fusion strategy." However, DOS mentioned the following resources that could give individuals a better background understanding:

• Military-Civil Fusion and the People's Republic of China, DOS Fact Sheet
   
• Technology Transfers to the PRC Military and U.S. Countermeasures: Responding to Security Threats with New Presidential Proclamation. Arms Control and International Security Papers, Volume I, Number 9, June 5, 2020. Christopher A. Ford, Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security
   
• China Defence Universities Tracker, by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. This was offered as an example of how one country, Australia, flagged entities on a risk scale. DOS was clear that individuals should not assume that the US list of entities will mirror or be based on the Australian tracker.

June 1, 2020

President Trump has issued an executive proclamation 10043 that suspends until further notice, the entry into the United States by certain Chinese students in F-1 and J-1 status if:

• they will engage in graduate study or research in the US; and
• they have been funded by, studied at, been employed by or conducted research at or on behalf of an entity in the People’s Republic of China that supports the Chinese government's military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy. The proclamation defines the MCF strategy as "actions by or at the behest of the PRC to acquire and divert foreign technologies, specifically critical and emerging technologies, to incorporate into and advance the PRC’s military capabilities."

What are the government implementation details?

• The proclamation is effective at 12:00 p.m. EDT on June 1; however, we have been told that the Department of State and relevant agencies are going to work on and expected to provide further detail on how the proclamation will be applied and to more clearly define who is subject to the suspension of entry – such as applicable majors or fields of study or research, and the list of the entities in China that supports the Chinese government's military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy.

Who are exempt from this proclamation?

• Undergraduate students, regardless of their major or field of study
• Individuals studying or researching in fields not deemed to advance China’s MCF strategy
• US lawful permanent residents, spouses of US citizens or lawful permanent residents, and some others

We understand that this vague announcement from the US government can cause stress and anxiety to some people. Emory University, along with other institutions and associations, is advocating for more favorable immigration policies and against unnecessary restrictions.  Our advocacy work will continue.

Until implementation details are announced by the US government, we advise that before leaving the US, first consult your ISSS advisor about any international travel including a brief trip to Canada or Mexico as the proclamation is about the visa stamp process and entry in the US.

Please let your ISSS advisor know if you have any questions.