ISSS Fall Timely Update
Some Fall Reminders:
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) staff are here to support students and scholars through your academics, including those on exchange and scholar programs or currently on OPT and STEM OPT.
For those of you settling into your classes, or other program duties, we would like to remind you of a few important details for your F-1 and J-1 responsibilities while you continue to maintain your immigration status during your stay in the U.S, and how you can connect with our office through events we are hosting in the next few months. As usual, the following information can also be found on the ISSS Timely Updates webpage. In addition, we have a Student Visa Information and a For Scholars webpage that lists additional information about your status that we recommend you to periodically review.
Travel Reminders :
- When in the United States always carry your immigration documents with you. The U.S. government has increased its activity around verifying immigration status.
- If asked by a U.S. government official to verify your identity and status, we recommend the following:
- We advise international students and scholars and U.S. permanent residents traveling within the United States—near or beyond campus or town, or who need to visit an airport—to carry on their person their original identity and immigration/travel documents. These include original (or printed paper copies of) passport (valid 6 months into the future) I-94, I-20 or DS-2019 (if applicable) and U.S. visa (if applicable). This is so you can legally and practically prove who you are and verify your status to a government agent, if asked.
- U.S. legal permanent residents are advised to carry their Permanent Resident Card/Green Card.
- Individuals in F-1 or J-1 status with questions may consult with ISSS.
- All others should consult their individual immigration attorney.
- We advise international students and scholars and U.S. permanent residents traveling within the United States—near or beyond campus or town, or who need to visit an airport—to carry on their person their original identity and immigration/travel documents. These include original (or printed paper copies of) passport (valid 6 months into the future) I-94, I-20 or DS-2019 (if applicable) and U.S. visa (if applicable). This is so you can legally and practically prove who you are and verify your status to a government agent, if asked.
- Middlebury campuses and instructional sites are within the 100-mile border zone. ISSS advises you to carry and show (only if requested) hard copy documents verifying your status as opposed to showing a photo of the documents on your device. Although we strongly advise you to carry original documents, if you choose not to, always carry a printed/paper version of your current I-94 Arrival Record, as that document confirms your official immigration status in the United States and the date of your last entry in that status.
- You may obtain your arrival record on the I-94 website.
- If your immigration status changed since your last entry to the United States, you should carry your Approval Notice in addition to your current I-94 Arrival Record.
- We recommend storing electronic copies of all your documents on your electronic device.
- You may obtain your arrival record on the I-94 website.
- The ACLU offers information about individuals’ legal rights here.
- You may want to consider adding the phone number of ISSS (802-443-5858 in Vermont or 831-647-3586 in California) and the non-emergency number of Middlebury’s Public Safety office (802-443-5133) to your contacts in case you need to request our assistance.
- If asked by a U.S. government official to verify your identity and status, we recommend the following:
Protests:
As announced on our February 21, 2025 Timely Updates, based on our understanding, it is important for individuals who are part of the international community to know that protesting for causes that are considered to “harm the security, economic, political, cultural or other national interests of the United States” or that are viewed as “anti-Semitic” may have implications on their immigration status and ability to remain in the United States.
A U.S. government determination that an individual has violated that provision is not an action that Middlebury can prevent or has any control over.
Please note that most protests have onsite photography which can appear in social media or other news outlets.
Upcoming ISSS Events:
There are many ways to connect with the ISSS office throughout the semester, please keep an eye on our Announcements page to stay informed about these events as they come up.
The ISSS team would love to see students and scholars come to the events we host throughout the semester. If you are unable to attend our events, then the ISSS team welcomes appointments to connect with you! Be sure to contact us with any questions you have. You can reach us by email (isss@middlebury.edu), telephone (802-443-5858) or by scheduling an appointment (Zoom or in-person) through Calendly.