As you may have seen in the news recently, the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security have begun revoking some non-immigrant visas and terminating some SEVIS records – sometimes without notice to either the scholar, J-1 program sponsor, or employer. The specific reasons for these terminations are often unclear, but we know that these events are causing anxiety among international students and scholars, as well as their families, friends, and colleagues. In fact, we wanted to let you know four members of our own 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community have had their visas revoked and their SEVIS records terminated. We are working to provide assistance to the students who, despite the change in their visa status, remain enrolled in their degree program at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
Please know that 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ truly values our international students, faculty, and staff. You bring knowledge, new perspectives, and cultural diversity that are integral to our educational mission. All of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, including our entire 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global office and your International Student and Scholar Compliance (ISSC) team, are committed to supporting our international community. We will share any relevant new information as soon as it becomes available.
Given the current level of federal government scrutiny on international visitors, we now recommend that you carry your original immigration documents with you at all times, including here in Las Vegas and during any domestic travel.
- Valid passport
- Most recent F-1/J-1 student visa, even if expired (Canadians are exempt)
- Most recent I-20 or DS-2019
- Most recent
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if on OPT/STEM OPT
We also encourage you to keep photos of these documents accessible on your cell phone and copies at your residence, just as an additional precaution. Some international students, faculty, and staff are memorizing important emails and phone numbers, as you may not have access to your cell phone or digital devices in an emergency situation.
If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact an immigration attorney for support. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has a . You can also reach out to the to see if they have an immigration attorney who can assist you.
These are challenging times and we will continue to communicate updates as they become available. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ stands with you and we’re here to provide information, support, and resources. We encourage you to remain calm and focus on your academic studies, while also taking care of your own well-being. For example, you may want to utilize campus support resources through Counseling & Psychological Services. You may also contact Dr. Anne White, Sr. Director for Student & Scholar Success Programs, at anne.white@unlv.edu, if you need support. Please take care, be well, and reach out anytime if you need assistance. Our office is in Beam Hall (BEH) 543 open Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm, and you may reach us through email at issc@unlv.edu. Please note that our emergency contact phone for nights and weekends is 702-774-6477, please select 0 when prompted to reach the Global Support Team after hours.
Best Regards,
Laura Chaney
Director of Compliance, PDSO/RO