IssueNet Quarterly Summary - Second Quarter 2025

April, May, June, 2025

Highlighting the top issues reported through NAFSA IssueNet. Prepared by Randa Meyer, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Brian Groves, University of California-San Francisco

Top Issues

SEVP

Issue 1: SEVIS Record Terminations

• Institutions continued to report more SEVIS terminations and F-1 visa revocations through the first half of April. Many institutions and students reported that they were not notified by DHS or the DOS about their SEVIS record and/or visa.
• Termination reasons included variations of the following:
  • “Otherwise Failing to Maintain Status”:
    • Individual identified in criminal records check
    • Individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked
    • Student identified in criminal records check. Terminated pursuant to INA 237(a)(1)(C)(i)/ 8 USC 1227(a)(1)(C)(i)
    • Student is terminated pursuant to INA 237(a)(1)(C)(i) and 237(a)(4)(C)(i).
    • Student is terminated pursuant to INA 221(i)
  • “OTHER”
    • Individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked. SEVIS record has been terminated.
• The criminal activity allegedly done by students ranged from no criminal activity at all, infractions such as littering or parking and speeding tickets, misdemeanors, to more serious offenses. Many indicated that an arrest occurred but with no charges, or charges were eventually dropped.

Issue 2: SEVIS Records Restored

• Institutions began reporting that SEVIS records were being reactivated, primarily at the end of April. Reactivations were the result of personal TROs, various lawsuits, and the eventual policy reversal from the Department of Homeland Security.

Issue 3: SEVP Portal

• Students have reported that they cannot enter their employment information in the SEVP Portal, if their first day of employment aligns with their EAD start date. The error message states, “Enter the start date for your job with the company that hired you. This date cannot be before your OPT start date. Date must fall within the Employment Authorization period.”

Issue 4: SEVP Notices Regarding Employer Information in SEVIS

• Students on OPT, who have not exceeded their unemployment days, have reported receiving an email from SEVP. The emails state that they have exceeded their 90 days of unemployment and if they do not update their records within 15 days, SEVP will terminate the SEVIS record for failing to report employment. 

CBP

Issue 1: Denial of Entry

• A student was denied entry to the United States and their visa was cancelled, for BOTH a low GPA and not having a travel signature on their Form I-20. Student was found inadmissible under section 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Issue 2: Secondary Inspection

• An Indian graduate student was questioned for 1.5 hours in secondary inspection, while going through customs (Abu Dhabi). CBP went through their  laptop, cell phone and iPad, and social media.. Student was eventually allowed to go through.

Issue 3: Transfer Students traveling over summer

• Student attempted to enter the United States without their transfer I-20 for a fall start date. CBP refused entry until the student received an updated I-20 from their DSO and they would only accept a summer start date, even though the student is admitted for fall and transfer students can travel internationally in between programs (Denver).

Issue 4: Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) for change of status individuals

• CBP Officials state that automatic visa revalidation is not available to individuals who have changed to a nonimmigrant visa status while in the United States, contrary to federal regulations 22 CFR 41.112(d)(1)(ii).

HSI

Issue 1: Student Records Request

• At least two institutions received emails from the SEVP Liaison to CTCEU (Counterterrorism and Criminal Exploitation Unit, [email protected]), requesting information and to verify the status regarding an international student. No explanation was provided as to why they were requesting information.

Issue 2: Campus Visits from HSI

• A SEVP Field representative visited a campus along with a HSI Agent, as part of Project Campus Sentinel. The institution was notified by their SEVP Representative ahead of the visit. 

USCIS

Issue 1: Biometrics RFEs/NTAs

• Reports of Requests for Evidence and Notice to Appear notices sent for biometrics on F-1 OPT H-1b requests. Reports of biometrics appointments difficult to arrange or USCIS missing beneficiary data requested by USCIS

Issue 2: EAD Corrections Impacting Unemployment Accrual

• Reports of corrected OPT EADs impacting unemployment accrual. New receipt number is generated for EADs sent for correction creating two records and doubling unemployment accrual time

Issue 3: MyUSCIS Errors

• Multiple reports of various issues concerning incorrect or missing information in MyUSCIS leading to difficulty in maintaining status

Consular Affairs

Issue 1: Impacts of Visa Processing Suspension

• Mixed reports regarding impact of announced visa processing suspension. Initial reports of scheduled visa appointments cancelled shortly after the announcement but many more reports appointments being accepted and fast visa issuance.

Issue 2: Social Media Questions During Interviews

• Multiple reports of questions about social media accounts. Reports of forms requested to be completed but no space to write accounts.  No reports of denials based on social media accounts

Issue 3: 214b Denials in S. Korea

• Several reports of 214b denials from S. Korea.  Some questioning revolves around military service
   

Strength in Reporting

Review the news from the past quarter

Visit the NAFSA AM360 Newsfeed for links to second quarter 2025 and later news topics.