Timely Update for February 2026

With the start of a new semester, we are writing to students and scholars on F-1, J-1, and H-1B status with some important reminders and resources:  

Students: We have created a new webpage, Travel Information for International Students. This has important information for you when traveling within and outside of the United States.  

Scholars: We have created a new webpage, Travel Information for International Scholars. This has important information for you when traveling within and outside of the United States.   

Important Reminders for all:   

• ISSS recommends that all Middlebury international students, scholars, and employees, regardless of their location, carry their personal identification and immigration/travel documents with them when in the United States, especially when in the 100-mile border zone. (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, as that may allow anyone to access personal information beyond the documentation that is requested.  
• You may wish to review this Know Your Rights site which has further information regarding how to respond to law enforcement and protesters’ rights. Also 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.  
• As announced on our February 21, 2025 Timely Updates, 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.  
• The Office of the General Counsel Resources page features important information about the protocol to follow if a U.S. government official or an immigration officer makes a request for information on the Middlebury campus. If federal agents make requests for information on the Monterey campus, Middlebury Institute community members must contact the Office of the General Counsel at 802-443-5229 or 802-443-5004, or the Institute’s Security office at 831-647-4153.  

Please be aware that changes in visa processing, re-entry requirements, and country-specific restrictions can be implemented quickly and without warning. While we closely monitor relevant immigration-related updates and news, it is not possible for us to predict when or what type of executive actions will be enacted, including any federal policy or immigration regulation changes that may affect our international student and scholar populations.    

ISSS staff is available for questions you may have and/or to provide resources depending on your situation. We are here to support you. Please email (isss@middlebury.edu), call (802-443-5858) or make an appointment to meet with an ISSS advisor.