Risk Assessment and Crisis Management

Monitoring Travel Advisories and Conditions Abroad During COVID-19

August 12, 2020

During this August 20, 2020 presentation the Bureau of Consular Affairs addressed assessment criteria for travel advisories, frequency of review for travel advisories during the pandemic, as well as current restrictions and conditions for U.S. students travelling abroad including quarantines, host

Notifications and Emergency Responses for Education Abroad

This Notification and Emergency Response guidelines below describe when it may (or may not) be necessary for institutions to reach out to education abroad participants in the aftermath of an event overseas. Different constituencies in the field vary in their responses; an emergency for one program

Advising in Place: Keeping up with Agency Guidance in a Changing World

International student and scholar advisers face unprecedented challenges in keeping up with the rapid fire changes and challenges presented by pandemic, the faltering economy and agency guidance. In this Government Connection, Chairs of the ISS RP Subcommittees provided a roundup of the latest

Interpreting Immigration Regulations and Sources of Authority

The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in a flood of information and guidance from all of our partner agencies as we navigate this crisis together. Even in non-crisis times, it can be difficult to understand the seemingly competing sources of authority and regulations that govern regulatory practice

Crisis Response: Best Practices for International Offices That Don't Have Dedicated Emergency Staff

May 7, 2020

Did you read the article in IE Magazine about emergency response plans, but your institutions doesn’t have dedicated staff to fulfill responsibilities outlined in the piece? Several of the sources interviewed for the article have recommendations for colleges and universities who want to bolster

Continuity of Operations for the International Office

Adapted from a March 10, 2020 post on the NAFSA International Scholar Advising Network by Tina Rousselot de Saint Céran (Georgia Tech), chair of the NAFSA Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services (KCISSS). There are multiple considerations for the transition from in-person

Practical Operations in Crisis Management

What did you learn about your crisis management plan during this most recent pandemic response? Although most offices have a protocol for crisis management, it is often found lacking when put to the test. During this text-based chat, three panelists answered questions from members about model

The USCIS Special Situations Page

December 19, 2024

USCIS's Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances page (formerly called the "Special Situations" page) describes long-standing, preexisting options that might be of use in an emergency situation. The page states: "USCIS has discretion to take the following measures on a case-by

Responding to a Worldwide Health Crisis and Travel Restrictions

Recent concerns regarding the spread of the coronavirus has myriad implications for the international education community in the United States and abroad. This Town Hall for NAFSA members provided context for the current challenges for international educators and shared updates on the travel

Health and Safety Management for Secondary School Programs Abroad

While planning rich educational experiences abroad, don’t forget to plan for health and safety—especially when those students are minors. Requiring careful planning and critical training of your stakeholders, you will learn actions to take pre-departure and while students are abroad. Develop a