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Dear International Students and Scholars, This message is to inform you of some very important immigration related updates from this past weekend related to U.S. President Trump's executive orders on immigration. Please visit International Student and Scholar Services in Storrs, Hartford or Stamford with your questions or concerns related to this order. You can visit during walk in advising hours, or by appointment with your international advisor<http://isss.uconn.edu/about/staff-directory/>. On September 24, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation<https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/24/enhancing-vetting-capabilities-and-processes-detecting-attempted-entry> following up on the prior Executive Order 13780, which required the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and State to review current screening and vetting procedures for foreign nationals worldwide seeking to enter the United States. Out of this review process, eight countries were identified as countries that do not meet U.S. criteria for visa screening and information sharing. The proclamation imposes visa/entry restrictions for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. F and J visas are nonimmigrant visas. The restrictions are indefinite; if a country is later considered to meet U.S. criteria for visa screening, then the U.S. may consider lifting the restrictions. Rather than impose a blanket restriction on visa issuance and entry, the newest proclamation imposes different visa/entry restrictions for different countries and different types of visas. Please see the chart below: Country Nonimmigrant Visas Immigrant and Diversity Visas Chad No B-1, B-2, and B-1/B-2 visas No immigrant or diversity visas Iran No nonimmigrant visas except F, M, and J student/exchange visas No immigrant or diversity visas Libya No B-1, B-2, and B-1/B-2 visas No immigrant or diversity visas North Korea No nonimmigrant visas No immigrant or diversity visas Syria No nonimmigrant visas No immigrant or diversity visas Venezuela No B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visas of any kind for officials of the following government agencies: Ministry of Interior, Justice, and Peace; the Administrative Service of Identification, Migration, and Immigration; the Corps of Scientific Investigations, Judicial and Criminal; the Bolivarian Intelligence Service; and the People's Power Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and their immediate family members. No restrictions Yemen No B-1, B-2, and B-1/B-2 visas No immigrant or diversity visas Somalia Subject to enhanced screening No immigrant or diversity visas *From U.S. Department of State travel.state.gov Alert<https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/news/important-announcement.html> Under the proclamation, the issuance of F and J visas, in addition to all other nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, are restricted for applicants who are citizens of North Korea and Syria. Citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, Yemen and certain visitors from Venezuela are restricted from B-1/B-2 visitor visa issuance. Citizens of Iran are only permitted F, M and J student or exchange visas. Citizens of Somalia may be permitted nonimmigrant visas but are subject to enhanced screening. The Presidential Proclamation also allows for other defined exceptions, as well as individually-assessed waivers to the imposed restrictions on a case-by-case basis. See our resource links below for further details. If you are from an identified country and your specific visa type is not explicitly restricted, please be advised that the U.S. embassy may still have technical or functional difficulty to issue your visa. Therefore, ISSS advises caution if you decide to travel, and we recommend that you consult with an immigration attorney before doing so. When does the Proclamation Become Effective? Phase 1 of the proclamation implementation, from September 24 to 12:01 a.m. October 18, applies only to nationals of Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia, who "lack a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States". Those who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States may still qualify for visa/entry (seek legal counsel for further information). Phase 2 begins October 18 for all eight identified countries according to the specific restrictions listed above, including individuals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States. What other conditions apply? The proclamation indicates that the restrictions apply to foreign nationals who: 1. Are outside the U.S. on the applicable effective date of the proclamation; 2. Do not have a valid visa on the applicable effective date of the proclamation; and 3. Do not qualify for a visa or other valid travel document after cancellation of a prior travel document under Executive Order 13769 The above conditions are complex, and we recommend that any University community members from the eight countries who consider international travel consult with an immigration attorney before departing the U.S. Visa Sanctions In addition, separate from the Presidential Proclamation, the U.S. government recently imposed certain visa sanctions on the countries of Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea and Sierra Leone. More information on these sanctions can be found here<https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/09/13/dhs-announces-implementation-visa-sanctions-four-countries> and on the websites of the U.S. embassies based in these countries. It is unclear whether the restricted visas will be issued to nationals of the sanctioned countries for individuals who apply in a different country. U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Discontinued issuance of B visas (visitors for pleasure/business) U.S. Embassy in Asmara, Eritrea Discontinued issuance of B visas (visitors for pleasure/business) U.S. Embassy in Conakry, Guinea Discontinued issuance of B visas as well as F, J, and M visas to Guinean government officials and their immediate family members U.S. Embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone Discontinued issuance of B visas (visitors for pleasure/business) to Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials and immigration officials Please be advised that ISSS will continue to issue Form I-20s and Form DS-2019s to eligible applicants who meet University criteria for admission and can demonstrate financial ability to meet program and living expenses. Further Resources on the latest Presidential Proclamation: NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Summary: Indefinite Entry Bar Under Executive Order.<http://www.nafsa.org/Professional_Resources/Browse_by_Interest/International_Students_and_Scholars/Indefinite_Entry_Bar_Under_Executive_Order/> U.S. Department of State Alert - September 24<https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/news/important-announcement.html> White House FAQ on Presidential Proclamation<https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/24/faq-proclamation-enhancing-vetting-capabilities-and-processes-detecting> Department of Homeland Security Fact Sheet<https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/09/24/fact-sheet-president-s-proclamation-enhancing-vetting-capabilities-and-processes> Please visit our webpage ISSS Information on Executive Order<http://isss.uconn.edu/executive-order/> for further links and resources. This is where we will provide further updates/changes as they occur. Rae Alexander Director International Student and Scholar Services UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT GLOBAL AFFAIRS 2011 Hillside Road, U-1083 STORRS, CT 06269-1083 PHONE: 860.486.3855 | EMAIL: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> http://isss.uconn.edu<http://isss.uconn.edu/> | www.facebook.com/UConnISSS<http://www.facebook.com/UConnISSS> | ISSS Walk-In Advising: MON - FRI: 1:00 - 3:30 pm ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the INTERNATIONAL-L list, click the following link: https://ListServ.Uconn.edu/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=INTERNATIONAL-L&A=1