U.S. immigration updates:Review our frequently asked questions for information and resources on immigration actions and guidance for international students and scholars. Check back often for new updates. More info
As you well know, immigration reform has long been on the Trump Administration’s policy agenda, with multiple efforts to bar or restrict legal and illegal immigration alike. Most recently, and as part of the April Presidential Proclamation barring entry of certain immigrants to the U.S., the secretaries of homeland security, labor, and state were directed to review all nonimmigrant programs and recommend “measures appropriate to stimulate the economy and ensure the prioritization, hiring, and employment of U.S. workers.” Pursuant to that order, the Trump Administration is expected in the coming days to issue an Executive Order to bar – on a temporary basis - entry to the U.S. for certain nonimmigrant categories and, in the longer term, significantly reform federal policies governing work authorization for students, scholars, and H-1Bvisa holders. As soon as the Executive Order is released, my office, working with the Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Federal Relations, will review it and share with you information and advice.
Given the importance of international students and scholars to the life of the University – and to Harvard’s core principles of openness and inclusivity – I also want update you on the work that has occurred in anticipation of the Executive Order. In addition to the sustained immigration advocacy of Harvard’s federal relations office and its national higher education associations, on June 2 President Bacow wrote to Secretary of State Pompeo and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Wolf, urging them to advocate within the Administration against any restrictions or reforms to nonimmigrant visas and work authorizations that would threaten the free flow of students and scholars, on which all colleges and universities depend. That letter can be found here.
I appreciate and share your concerns and your sense of vulnerability, perhaps heightened by the COVID 19 pandemic and the larger societal issues our times. And I know that the entire academic community joins me in support of your place at and many contributions to Harvard.
Students and scholars currently outside of the U.S. should be aware of various travel restrictions that make returning to the U.S. difficult at this time. In general, any students or scholars looking to reenter the U.S. over the summer are advised to reach out to their HIO Advisor before making plans.
Presidential Proclamations Suspending Travel
There are several Presidential Proclamations suspending the entry of individuals from various countries and regions throughout the world. You may read more about these proclamations, including who is subject to the suspension, here.
Travel from Canada and Mexico
Currently the land borders between the United States and Canada, and the United States and Mexico are closed for nonessential travel. Students and scholars planning to enter the U.S. from Canada or Mexico are encouraged to speak directly with their HIO advisor regarding their travel plans and best practices for returning to the U.S. before finalizing arrangements.
On April 22, 2020 President Trump issued a new proclamation related to immigration. It does not appear that this order will affect our international students and scholars on non-immigrant visas at this time.
You may find a summary of some of the key points here.
The HIO will continue to monitor the situation and as always, will work with Harvard’s Office of Federal Relations to advocate for all international students and scholars. Stay safe.
All local Social Security offices are closed to the public for in-person service. You may refer to their COVID-19 web page to learn more, including how to get help from the Social Security Administration (SSA) by phone and online. If you need to apply for an SSN you must wait until they resume in-person services.
Please note, the deadline to file federal taxes for 2019 has been extended to July 15, 2020. Please review the Internal Revenue Serviceannouncement for details. The deadline for filing Massachusetts state taxes has also been extended to July 15, 2020.
The HIO has compiled a comprehensive FAQ to answer any visa-related issues connected to Coronavirus (COVID-19), including general travel and visa concerns, student issues, work authorization applications, and international scholar issues. Please note that any future travel to the U.S. may be impacted by the U.S. government's travel suspension.
Harvard President Larry Bacow issued a statement this morning announcing the transition of all courses to virtual instruction in light of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The U.S. government recognizes there are extenuating circumstances because these classes were not intended to be online. The Harvard International Office (HIO) received guidance from the government that they intend to be flexible with temporary adaptations to classes. Provided international students can continue to make normal progress in a full course of study as required by federal regulations, students’ legal immigration status is not in jeopardy. International students and scholars should contact their HIO advisor with any questions or concerns.
Before making any spring break travel plans, please review Harvard University's Guidance for Spring Break and Other Travel with respect to coronavirus (COVID-19). The University is discouraging all non-essential international travel for now. If you have concerns over the coronavirus, please visit Harvard’s new coronavirus website which is frequently updated with the latest guidance and resources.
Please note: domestic travel guidance, or international travel guidance under normal circumstances, can be found on our Travel page.
If you were present in the United States (U.S.) during any part of calendar year 2019 in any immigration status other than B or WT/WB (ESTA), there is at least one tax form (IRS Form 8843) you must file with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) this spring. Below is what you should consider in preparation for the coming tax filing season. If you were not in the U.S. at all during 2019, you do not need to complete any tax forms this year.
All current students, scholars, and student interns at Harvard will receive an email from the HIO in mid-late February providing additional information, instructions, and discounted access to use the Sprintax tax preparation software.
If you are no longer an active student or scholar at Harvard and need to file taxes for 2019, please contact your HIO Advisor in late February to request a unique discount code to use Sprintax.
On January 31, 2020 a new Presidential Proclamation expanded the travel ban to six additional countries. Only immigrant visas are impacted by this new order – non-immigrant visa (including F, J, H-1B, etc.) issuance and/or travel is not affected. Starting February 21, 2020 foreign nationals from Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar (Burma), and Nigeria will not be issued most types of immigrant visas. Under the same order, foreign nationals from Sudan and Tanzania will not be issued Diversity Lottery immigrant visas. Current lawful permanent residents and those holding immigrant visas who have not yet entered the United States are exempt from the proclamation. Please reach out to your HIO advisor with any questions.
Harvard President Lawrence Bacow issued a welcome letter to incoming and returning students, particularly addressing the obstacles and sacrifices many international students and scholars face in obtaining visas and entering the United States. You may read his entire message to the Harvard community here.
With the beginning of the new school year upon us, Mayor of Boston Martin Walsh has issued a letter welcoming international students who have chosen Boston to be their new home in the United States. You may read his welcome letter here.
President Larry Bacow traveled to Washington, DC this week to meet with members of Congress to discuss a range of University priorities and concerns, including the uncertainties federal immigration policy has created for faculty and students at Harvard and at universities across the nation. Read more
In a related move, Bacow also sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan last week calling on them to expedite the visa and immigration process for foreign students and researchers.
F-1 students who applied for OPT are facing unprecedented delays in receiving their EADs (employment authorization documents). These delays not only affect our recent graduates and HU hiring departments, but those across the U.S. Without EADs, students have no income and are not permitted to begin working until they get their EADs. They cannot travel outside the U.S. and reenter the U.S. without the EAD. In previous years, OPT applications have taken 60-100 days to be processed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but the processing time this year is much longer than previous years. Recent estimates are that OPT processing could take as long as 5.5 months. These delays are part of a bigger problem within USCIS. The General Accountability Office (GAO) will undertake a study in the fall at the urging of Congress to investigate USCIS processing times which have increased by up to 46 percent since Fiscal Year 2016. We are working with various offices across the University and professional organizations to advocate for our students. Please feel free to contact your HIO advisor if you have any questions.
