Region XI Spring Immigration Workshop
2024 Virtual Spring Immigration Workshop
March 25-29, 2024
What is SIW? The Spring Immigration Workshop is a professional development opportunity led by the members of GRAC, which is a sub-committee of the Region XI team focused on governmental issues and regulations. The content is focused on matters that are closely tied to the immigration aspects of international students, scholars, and employees. SIW 2024 will be fully virtual and will be free to attend. We hope that by making this event accessible in multiple ways that you will be able to get content that helps you in doing your job.
Registration Information
Registration will open in February! You will need to register for each individual event you plan to attend. Registration will be free for everyone with sessions offered via Zoom.
Session Descriptions
Today’s sessions are for beginners in the field or people looking to learn more about a new area.
9:00am - 11:00am : F-1 Basics Workshop (Part 1)
This two-part workshop covers basics of the F-1 student status from initial status acquisition and maintenance to employment and practical training authorizations. This is not a NAFSA CEP but offers audience members an overview of core concepts and regulations for F-1 students. Must attend both sessions. **Please only sign up if you will attend both sections (Monday and Tuesday from 9am-11am).
- No recording available
11:00am - 12:00pm: H-1B Basics for Non-Practitioners
Learn core concepts of an H-1B from eligibility to filing processes, plus basic tips and tools for incorporating this knowledge into your advising practices if you work with international students. This session is for individuals who do not prepare H-1B petitions as part of their roles.
- No recording available
1:00pm - 2:00pm: Key Immigration Concepts for Campus Partners
Are you someone who works with international students, but does not handle the immigration pieces to enroll them and wants to understand what rules and regulations apply? This fun and engaging session will address an overview of key immigration concepts, illuminate the common visa categories on which students can study, illustrate how F-1/J-1 visas are obtained through the U.S. Consulates abroad, show how F-1/J-1 students maintain status within the U.S., take a look at some case studies, and play some fun games as we go!
2:00 - 3:00pm: Sorting Through the Alphabet: Intro to Other Visas
The F, J, and H-1B are the most common visas in academia (and will not be covered in this panel). The U.S. visa system runs the full alphabet (A-Z). This panel will provide an introduction to other visas outside of academia (E, L etc.) that scholars or students may also pursue in the future for occupations in business, the arts, or for startups. Finally, panelists will also provide a brief overview of humanitarian visa options.
- No recording available
Today's sessions are focused on international student advising and F/J student topics.
9:00am - 11:00am: F-1 Basics Workshop (Part 2)
This two-part workshop covers basics of the F-1 student status from initial status acquisition and maintenance to employment and practical training authorizations. This is not a NAFSA CEP but offers audience members an overview of core concepts and regulations for F-1 students. Must attend both sessions.**Please only sign up if you will attend both sections (Monday and Tuesday from 9am-11am).
- No recording available
11:00am - 12:00pm: International Student Financial Hardship: Strategies and Options for Assisting Those in Need
International students are increasingly experiencing financial hardship in these challenging economic times. This session will explore and discuss regulatory strategies such as economic hardship EADs, Special Student Relief and TPS, as well as institutional best practices to provide financial assistance to international students in need.
1:00pm - 2:00pm: Medical RCLs for F-1 Students: Providing Student Support in Challenging Situations
Student health issues can involve a number of campus stakeholders. In this session, presenters will discuss who those stakeholders are and how they are engaged with thier office in processing student requests for Medical Reduced Couseloads. We will also explore advising issues that present challenges to consistent institutional policies and specific student circumstances.
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Hot Topics in Practical Training
This session will consider how DSOs/AROs and schools can support students and their employment pursuits. Many students feel pressured to beef up their CVs by pursuing off-campus work. Learn how different institutions approach these opportunities and what may or may not qualify for CPT, OPT or AT. Institutions will share how they have navigated and responded to the increase in RFEs and denials for STEM OPT applications, EAD card corrections, and more.
3:00 - 4:00pm: Advising on the Complexities of Entrepreneurship Activities During F-1 Status
Many students these days dream of being an entrepreneur. Unfortuantely, the F-1 regulations have not been modernized since they were enacted decades ago. Couple that with a lack of guidance on what actually constitutes employment under immigration law and DSO’s are left with no clear direction. Forging a path as an F-1 entrepreneur is riddled with landmines that have serious consequences. Join us for a discussion on: What can F-1 entrepreneurs safely do during their program, on OPT and STEM OPT? Creating a business in the U.S. – how far is too far? Options beyond OPT and potential changes to the H-1B regulations? The new Corporate Transparency Act reporting requirement for company owners as of January 1, 2024 and how that might leave a digital footprint for USCIS and other agencies to find.
Today’s sessions are focused on more advanced topics, including sessions specific to international scholars and employment-based statuses.
9:00am - 10:00am: H-1B Hot Topics and Current Issues
In this session, we will review recent developments and ongoing challenges relevant to those who file academic H-1B petitions and advise on H-1B-related issues. Topics to be covered include fee increases; regulatory changes and new USCIS guidance; the domestic visa renewal pilot program; strategies for scholars approaching the 6-year limit of their H-1B status; and institutional policies regarding remote work, H-1B sponsorship, and other matters.
10:00am - 11:00am: Navigating Permanent Resident Sponsorship & Hot Topics Impacting 2024
Navigating permanent resident sponsorship has become increasingly complex over the past year with significant DOL delays, stubborn backlogs in categories not often effected and now increasing USCIS fees. Join the session as our speakers discuss:
• Institutional policies on when to sponsor and why they are helpful;
• Managing and filing in-house versus working with outside counsel;
• Challenges of retrogression across most categories and agency backlogs;
• PERM versus EB-1B;
• Special Handling PERM 18 month deadline and DOL delays;
• Strategizes for moving cases along to avoid further delays or visa max issues; and
• The new PERM form – what we know and don’t know.
11:00am-12:00pm: How do you J Scholar?
Wait, you do what? How many times have you thought this when networking and connecting with colleagues from different institutions. Join us for a discussion and a look at how three different schools run their J Programs. We'll look at policy and practice across many topics including categories, occasional short-term lectures and extra income, out of country requests, remote work, sites of activity and the institutional J-1 annual report.
1:00pm - 2:00pm: KEYNOTE: A Legacy of Welcome: Strengthening our Communities Through Sponsoring Refugees
In July 2023, the Department of State introduced the Welcome Corps on Campus, a new targeted education sponsorship initiative that enables U.S. colleges and universities to play a leading role in resettling refugee students. In addition to providing core sponsorship services, sponsor groups connect refugee newcomers directly to their communities, helping them build a social network, become self-sufficient, and gain a stronger sense of belonging. These shared acts of welcome strengthen communities and build support for refugee protection by directly involving private citizens in refugee resettlement. Join us in welcoming Ann O’Brien from Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services and Nele Feldmann from Welcome Corps on Campus to learn more about the good work taking place on college campuses to welcome refugees to the U.S.
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Spring Cleaning - Dusting off Lesser Used Visas (E-3, TN, and O-1)
It’s time to shake off the cobwebs! This panel will serve as refresher on lesser used visa options, specifically when H-1B may not be an option. Panelists will discuss the use of the E-3 for Australians, TN for Mexican and Canadian nationals, and the O-1A/O-1B (an achievement-based visa). Topics of interest will include recent regulatory updates to these visa categories, adjudication trends, best practices, the latest on requests for evidence.
Today’s sessions focus on issues that touch on the experiences of our clients in maintaining their status in the US, but are not strictly regulatory.
9:00am - 10:00am: "Not F-1, Not My Job?" - Understanding and Working with Undocumented students, DACA-mented students, and Others with Tenuous Statuses
Outside of our immigration roles as DSOs and AROs, we often run into student populations that don't fit the visa mold. It's easy to get lost in the updates surrounding DACA legislation, and to understand who's eligible anymore - and for what? This session will give a brief overview of DACA and its current state. We will look beyond DACA to find other "fragile statuses", and examine our role as ISS professionals in supporting these populations on our campuses.(This session will not be recorded).
11:00am - 12:00pm: Let’s Be Clear: Utilizing Plain Language & Positive Phrasing with International Students & Scholars
How can we improve the ways we communicate with international students and scholars and empower them to understand complex immigration concepts? Presenters will discuss and give examples using plain language modeled after the Plain Writing Act guidelines to promote clear communication in student and scholar advising. They will demonstrate how positive phrasing and delivering immigration information in a way that reminds students and scholars of what they can do and how to get there, rather than what they cannot do, can produce better compliance and success outcomes.
1:00pm-2:00pm: KEYNOTE: US Immigration Policy Towards LGBTQIA+ Migrants
Keynote Speaker: Richard Iandoli will discuss the current state of US immigration policy towards LGBTQIA+ migrants as we approach the 20th anniversary of Goodridge v. Department of Public Health (May 17, 2004 — 2024).
2:00pm - 3:00pm: A Guide to Understanding Nonresident Taxes
Tax day is April 15th and it will be here before you know it. Join us for a presentation on the overview of tax filing requirements for international students and scholars. We'll review strategies for communicating filing requirements to students and scholars, resources for the ISSS and students as well as a look at different school models and how they handle tax season. Other topics include who must file a U.S. tax return, what income forms students/scholars may receive, which forms need to be completed and sent to the IRS, what happens if students don't file or misfile, federal e-filing and more. Important terms such as FICA, ITIN and 1098-T will be covered as well as time for your questions.
- No recording available
3:00pm - 4:00pm: When Things Go Wrong: Students, Scholars, and Criminal Law
When students and scholars face criminal charges, international advisors need to think about how this may affect their immigration status and what resources students and scholars may need to understand their situation. Campus partners, law enforcement officials, and attorneys all play a role. Let’s learn more about the finer points of this important topic! (This session will not be recorded).
- No recording available
Today is a time to connect in a less structured way with others around certain interest areas. These roundtables will be hosted by a GRAC member and are a time to come with outstanding questions and current issues.
Sessions
9:00am - 10:00am: Employment-Based Advising Issues for Scholars
This will be a roundtable in which we can discuss any issues, trends, or concerns you have about scholar and employment-based immigration advising. Persisting issues at the consulates in light of Presidential Proclamations and other world events; policy setting; trends at Ports of Entry - these are all examples of topics you can bring to this roundtable! We look forward to welcoming you for a robust discussion! (This session will not be recorded).
- No recording available
10:00am - 11:00am: All Things RCL and Working with Campus Partners
First semester, last semester, medical reasons for a reduced course load... When do you use which reason and how do you document evidence regarding the student's eligibility? How do we work with campus accommodations, student success and support services, academic advisers, et al.? Let's talk about how we resolve this on our campuses and share best practices. (This session will not be recorded).
11:00am - 12:00pm: J-1 Categories
Short-term? Research Scholar? Specialist? So many options…What’s an RO/ARO to do? This roundtable will have a basic overview of J-1 Categories, which to use, advantages/disadvantages, and what to do when in a dilemma about the myriad of possibilities. Join us with your questions or challenges so we can discuss tips or best practices from shared experiences. (This session will not be recorded).
- No recording available
1:00pm - 2:00pm: "I Need Help With…” Navigating A-Z Student Situations
This roundtable discussion will be focused on the wide variety of non-immigration related questions we get from students as they navigate living in the U.S. (i.e. health insurance/medical documentation, food/housing insecurity, transportation, housing during breaks, etc.). Are you a point person to help students with everything A-Z or do you have limitations on what you can assist students with? Join with questions or challenges you face so we can discuss tips or best practices from shared experiences. (This session will not be recorded).