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Understanding U.S Department of Homeland Security Guidance for Fall 2020

Latest Updates

See the most recent updates on the Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) website
 

Past Updates

Resources

Here are some resources to support international students with remote learning and some exciting ways to connect with our global community.

 

 

 

Please know our entire campus and University of California system remain committed to supporting our international community. Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) within Global Affairs is dedicated to helping you obtain and maintain the appropriate legal status. SISS Advisors are assigned by the first letter of your surname, can be found online, and are available by video and phone.

Webinar: Understanding U.S. Department of Homeland Security Guidance for Fall 2020

On July 16 at 11 a.m. (PDT) Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) within Global Affairs hosted immigration attorneys from Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP for a webinar, Understanding U.S. Department of Homeland Security Guidance for Fall 2020.

Chancellor Gary S. May, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Mary Croughan and Vice Provost and Dean of Global Affairs Joanna Regulska issued the following statement today (July 9), originally at UC Davis News.

UC Davis Leadership Statement: Homeland Security Guidelines ‘Cruel and Thoughtless’

To the UC Davis community:

On July 6, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published new guidelines for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, or SEVP, that impacts thousands of our international students at UC Davis. Like our colleagues across campus and throughout the University of California system, we are deeply concerned by these new guidelines as they are an abrupt departure from the Homeland Security guidance provided for spring and summer 2020 and they run counter to our values at UC Davis. In fact, these guidelines are cruel and thoughtless. We want to assure you that UC Davis remains committed to supporting our international students and scholars who add enormously to the excellence that puts us amongst the world’s leading research and teaching institutions.

We are here to help you. Please know this new Homeland Security guidance has no immediate effect on visa statuses. And please be assured that, so long as permitted by public health authorities, we are committed to providing ample in-person class experiences to enable those who need in-person courses to comply with the recently announced federal requirements. Our team in Services for International Students and Scholars, or SISS, within Global Affairs is hosting a webinar at 11 a.m. on July 16 with immigration attorneys to offer further clarification. Students, faculty, staff, and families can register and submit questions in advance on the SISS website. We also encourage affected international students to continue visiting this SISS webpage for ongoing updates as new information becomes available and to contact your SISS advisors with questions about unique circumstances.

We are actively working with the University of California Office of the President and our campus teams to determine the best way to move forward together. We are also partnering with our professional associations and networks to advocate in support of international educational exchange. Moreover, the University of California announced last evening that it is poised to sue the federal government over their new policy.

UC Davis is a wonderfully diverse community and we consider this one of our greatest strengths. We are proud of our global and inclusive campus. Our community benefits tremendously from welcoming the brightest students from all over the world. Our international students contribute a wealth of experiences, knowledge, and skills, and truly bring the world to UC Davis. We value international student voices, perspectives, and ideas in classes, research and other collaborations, and extra-curricular and community activities. In today’s interconnected world this global and cultural exchange is more important than ever. We also know the hard work and sacrifice of international students who have achieved so much, have strong ties in our communities, and have made UC Davis their home away from home during their studies. 

Thank you for your patience and grace during what is undoubtedly a stressful and challenging time. We value each and every member of our UC Davis community and are committed to supporting our international community together.

Sincerely,

Gary S. May
Chancellor

Mary Croughan
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Joanna Regulska
Vice Provost and Dean of Global Affairs

Originally published July 6, 2020

Message from Global Affairs

Dear UC Davis International Students,

Today (July 6), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published new guidance for the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) related to online courses for fall 2020 that concerns students on F-1 nonimmigrant visas (please note: this applies only to F-1 and M-1 students). This is concerning to us and UC Davis is working with the University of California Office of the President to determine the best way to support international students. UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) within Global Affairs and campus leadership will provide more information as soon as possible to support affected students.

We will update this announcement on the SISS website as new information becomes available.

Please know UC Davis remains committed to supporting international students and scholars. We understand this guidance from Homeland Security creates stress and uncertainty in an already challenging time. If you are an international student affected by this, have questions about these restrictions, or are concerned about your immigration status, please contact your SISS Advisor through the staff directory on the SISS website.

Sincerely,

Joanna Regulska
Vice Provost and Dean
Global Affairs

Wesley Young
Services for International Students and Scholars Director
Global Affairs

About Services for International Students and Scholars

Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS), within Global Affairs, is helping to build a campus community that includes students and scholars from over 140 countries and six continents. SISS serves more than 10,000 international students, faculty, and researchers and their accompanying family members who come to UC Davis each year.  We welcome the world to UC Davis.

As a part of Global Affairs, Services for International Students and Scholars aims to inspire global curiosity, understanding, and engagement.

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Global Education & Student Life

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Services for International Students and Scholars Message from the Vice Provost and Dean