Bridging Policy and Practice: How ISSS Professionals Navigate Government Partnerships

For international student and scholar services (ISSS) professionals, collaboration with U.S. government agencies is an essential part of supporting international students, scholars, and employees. From processing delays and unclear guidance to changing regulations, this work requires a balance of compliance, advocacy, and creative problem-solving. The challenges can be complex, but success lies in patience, preparation, and partnership.

Understanding the Core Challenges

ISSS professionals routinely interact with a range of government entities, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of State, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Each has distinct procedures and communication protocols, adding complexity to ISSS workflows and processes.

One of the most common challenges we face is understanding and applying rules to situations that regulations or processes do not actually address—or when regulations haven't kept up with changing times. —Linda Gentile

As Basim Kamal, senior associate at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, explains, "Common challenges include understanding why USCIS processing might be delayed or why an individual remains in lengthy administrative processing for a visa appointment with the Department of State."

He also notes the importance of understanding boundaries and responsibilities: "It is critical to know and understand the fine line between providing ISSS support and providing immigration legal advice, [a distinction] which can often be challenging."

Sometimes we are sent back and forth between agencies [when] trying to get something resolved, and it feels like we are communicating with the agencies better than they communicate between