On October 15th, 2025, the GSG hosted a town hall with Janica Cimo, Director of Immigration Services, and Rachel Selway, Assistant Director of Immigration Services, from the Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS). They gave an in depth presentation on new and proposed federal immigration rules, along with resources available at CGPS.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this web site is provided as a service to international students, faculty, staff, employees, and administrators at the University of Delaware, and does not constitute legal advice on any immigration, tax, or other matter. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of official counsel. For assistance on your immigration status, we encourage you to contact an ISSS advisor for specific guidance at oiss@udel.edu.

Contents

• Key takeaways
• Information about ISSS
• Federal proposal to eliminate duration of status (D/S)
• Travel updates
• Immigration Updates Webinar
• Maintaining your status

Key takeaways

• Always stay up to date with ISSS announcements and FAQ pages. They post updates within 48 hours of a big change/ announcement. For really big issues, they may send a mass email.
• Any type of fee-based application is not impacted by government shutdown. Non-fee-based processes are impacted and that’s mostly at the H1B visa level. Students shouldn’t see much of an impact to their status from government shutdown, but could see delays in consulates and air travel.
• Always check your I-20 or DS-2019 for accurate program information. 
• International students must keep their I-94 on hand at all times. Have a physical copy, not just an image on your phone, and a copy of your passport with you. Please also carry a copy of your signed I-20 or DS-2019.
• All cases are slightly different, therefore you should make an appointment with CGPS so they can take into account your individual situation to help advise you. 
• CGPS is hosting a webinar with an immigration attorney at 10 am on November 3rd on  current immigration trends and updates. Register here.
• See information from AILA on new social media vetting rules here.

Information about ISSS

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is provided by CGPS to support UD’s international community. They host about 150 programs a year like international student coffee hour, essay contests, scholar poster fairs, ice cream socials, summer socials, etc. They are always open to new ideas of how to bring the community together. They also advise students on visa rules and help international students plan their academic career. All forms are available online (applications, zoom appointment, etc.). Three main types of students they serve are J1, F1, and H1B (for UD employees) visas and their dependents.

Location: 26 E. Main Street in Elliot Hall (website). 

Hours: Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm (closed from 12-1 for lunch). 

Email: oiss@udel.edu 

Phone: 302-831-2115.

Federal proposal to eliminate duration of status (D/S)

How it currently works:

Under current rules, F-1 and J-1 visa holders are admitted for a duration of status (D/S) on their I-94 form. This means F/J students may stay in the US as long as they maintain program status and SEVIS record. There is no fixed end date on their I-94; their stay is tied to the academic or exchange program. The current grace period is 60 days for F1 and 30 days for J1 after the program completion. 

Proposed change:

The federal government is trying to remove D/S and create a fixed end date up to 4 years. After that, they want international students to apply for extensions through USCIS. Extension applications come with a pretty hefty base fee around $400 and can take 8 months or more to process. People can pay $2000 for a premium process that will take 30 days, at most. As it was written, it appears that if you make a timely application, you would maintain status for up to 180-240 days. However, if this change happens, they will have a million more applications to process and backlogs will likely be longer. With a fixed end date, it gives them the opportunity to say someone is accruing unlawful presence. Currently with D/S, there is much more of a gray area.

Additional proposed restrictions:

• Undergraduates can’t change major, program, or education level during their first academic year.
• Graduate students may be barred from changing programs mid-course.
• The government may now get involved with your ability to change majors and transfer to another university for international students.
• Students finishing a program at a given level cannot switch to a program at the same or lower level under F status. 
• Transfer to another school would be restricted until completing one academic year at the original institution unless an exception granted by SEVP.
• An international student would have to leave the country and reenter through their home country to do any of these changes that are barred.

This would change everything in the way CGPS processes and advises students. Most likely,  doctoral students will need to file this extension application because those programs are longer than four years. Always talk to CGPS before taking any employment.

Current status of the rule

The rule is not in effect. The public comment period has ended (30,000 comments were submitted, including several large professional organizations). CGPS is unsure what the government will decide to do. They are required by law to read the comments and CGPS is hearing from attorneys that they are using AI to review these comments. CGPS is unsure if this will expedite the review process and how the proposal will change from the comments. Legal challenges to this are expected, but the rule is still in the comment review stage. It could be a couple of years of challenges and litigations until the rule is enacted. 

Next steps:

There are no immediate changes – D/S remains in effect for now. Stay informed through CGPS, they are monitoring this very closely. The rule would include a transition period and new guidance if finalized. Always check your I-20 or DS-2019 for accurate program information. 

Travel updates

The Department of State (DoS) has updated visa application guidance. Applicants should apply in their country of nationality or legal residence for visa or renewal.There are new social media vetting rules for consulates.

Enhanced vetting:

• F, J, and H visa categories likely to face more scrutiny of online presence (social media).
• Applicants need to make social media profiles public for review
• International students have to fill out a form called DS-160 and add all social media handles.
• Visas will probably take longer to process as consulates now have more to review. 

Interview waiver changes (effective 09/02/25): 

Most nonimmigrant applicants (F, J, H) must have in-person interviews, except specific categories. Previously students with a valid F-1 or J-1 visa that has expired within the last 12 months could get a visa interview waiver. 

International Travel reminders:

• Be aware of your visa/immigration status: visa validity, I-20/DS-2019 travel signature validity and program end date. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months if you are a student.
• Consider international travel risks, especially if your status falls under the new restrictions or if you do not have a valid visa. Check with any travel bans. 
• Check your social media/ online presence: ensure compliance with possible screening.
• Consult ISSS/CGPS and/or immigration counsel before major decisions, including traveling with an expired visa.
• Follow ISSS/federal updates closely (check emails, FAQ, announcements).
• Visa application recommendations: check embassy/consulate requirements, adjust social media, prepare for an in-person interview. It can take months to resolve administrative processing (not denied, but doing background checks). Even if you have never had trouble with administrative processing, you may run into issues now and may get stuck outside of the country. Check with the consulate before leaving.
• Be cautious traveling during the middle of the semester. 
• Border Patrol officials have the option to ask for your social media information and review your social media. See information from AILA on new social media vetting rules here.
• For domestic travel, you don’t need a visa or travel signature, but it’s best to keep I-20 and DS-2019 on you. You should always keep this plus I-94 on hand at all times. Have physical copies and a copy of your passport with you.

Immigration updates webinar

CGPS webinar: current immigration trends and updates with an immigration attorney at 10 am on Nov 3rd. Register here.

Maintaining your status

Keep your I-20/DS-2019 valid and extend them before they expire.

Register full-time every semester:

• 12 credits for undergraduate, 9 for grad students (6 with a contract). 
• Sustaining status counts as full time.
• Only one online course (equivalent of 3 credits) counts toward full-time.
• Authorization for a reduced course load may be available.

Keep your passport valid and carry a physical copy of your I-94 at all times. The government requires you to carry your I-94. 

• Passports must be valid at least 6 months into the future.
• Print a copy of your I-94 and check for accuracy every time you enter the US. You can get it fixed at the airport if it’s not valid when they print it out. 

A valid travel signature is required to re-enter the US. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months (6 months on OPT) and can be issued electronically. 

UDSIS addresses must be accurate at all times. The federal requirement to provide correct home address

• Mailing address = US address.
• Foreign address = home country address.
• Update information within 10 days of changes/moving.

Employment authorization from ISSS is required before working

• On campus employment: students may work up to 20 hr/week during the major semesters and more than 20 in the winter/summer
• Off campus employment (including unpaid internships): requires prior off-campus work authorization. 

Don’t overstay your status end date

• You must leave by the end of your grace period (F-1 60 days, J-1 30 days).