Verification of Status, Protests, and Visa Processing 

On February 21, 2025, ISSS shared the following information with our international community.

It has been one month since the new U.S. presidential administration took office. Middlebury leadership will continue to review the information coming out of Washington, D.C., and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will provide regular updates for our international community as we confirm the impact of any executive orders or federal agency changes. Please note that as of this writing, the regulations related to international students and scholars in the United States have not changed.

We continue to analyze the January 20 Executive Order 14161: Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. Knowing that there are many news headlines about immigration concerns and speculations about the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in higher education, ISSS offers this informational update about a few issues relevant to our international community. 

• Verification of Status: The U.S. government has increased its activity around verifying immigration status.
  • All foreign nationals, including international students and scholars and U.S. Permanent Residents, over the age of 18 years old, must always have in their possession U.S. government-issued evidence of their immigration status, according to the long-standing Immigration and Nationality Act (INA § 264(e) - Documentation of Immigration Status). This statute applies to all non-U.S. citizens no matter where they are within the United States.
  • 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 federal agents to access personal information beyond the documentation that they have requested.
  • You may wish to review this Know Your Rights site. 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.
• Protests: Based on our understanding of the executive order, 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. 
   
• Visa Processing: We expect processing delays due to reduced staffing affecting U.S. government agencies, including embassies and consulates. We also anticipate increased scrutiny at visa appointments and when crossing the U.S. border.
  • If you anticipate needing to renew your visa during a visit home or when traveling abroad, please consult with ISSS before you travel for specific guidance.
  • The U.S. Department of State updated its visa interview waiver requirements on February 18. The policy now allows for a waiver of an in-person interview only for non-immigrants who held a visa that expired less than 12 months before the new visa application, and if the previous and new visa are the same category. This limits eligibility for a waiver and means that more visa applicants will need to secure interview appointments, which will extend the processing timeline. 
     
• Important Updates: We recommend that you bookmark ISSS Travel, Regulatory, or Information Updates, which features our prior messages. ISSS will post updates on our website as details are confirmed.
   
• Questions or Concerns: If you have questions or concerns about your circumstances, email ISSS at isss@middlebury.edu or schedule an appointment via Calendly with an ISSS advisor.

Middlebury and ISSS value you as part of our community. ISSS is here to assist you—so please contact us if you have questions or want to verify information you see or hear.