International students, faculty, and staff are valued members of the Lafayette community. Lafayette also deeply values its global connections through many study abroad programs, internships, and global research opportunities. Given recent activity at the federal level, the College has created this FAQ to help address common questions regarding current travel and immigration concerns. Your thoughts, comments, and questions not covered here can be submitted to questions-federal@lafayette.edu.
All Students, Faculty, and Staff
What should I do if I encounter outside law enforcement officers on campus?
If you see outside law enforcement on campus, contact Lafayette Public Safety at 610-330-5330, confirm your location, and request an officer respond. Please document a detailed description of the individual, including any external indications that they are a government agent (e.g., clothing, badge, etc.), and the individual’s exact location.
If you are approached by outside law enforcement requesting information about you or another individual, inform the agent that the College has guidance/protocols in place to make sure that inquiries are addressed in a timely manner. Politely ask for the agent’s name, identification number, and agency affiliation, and immediately call Public Safety as noted above.
Do not release any information about students, staff, faculty, or others. If presented with a warrant, subpoena, or other documentation, inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but need to contact Public Safety.
Public Safety and/or the General Counsel will inspect the documentation that the outside law enforcement or government agency provides.
Public Safety, in consultation with the General Counsel, will determine how to respond to the warrant, subpoena, or other documentation.
Please do not answer questions or provide personally identifiable information about yourself or anyone else unless required by a valid subpoena or warrant, and told to do so by Public Safety or General Counsel. Examples of personally identifiable information may include, but are not limited to, name, contact information, class lists, student schedules, etc.
If agents try to take something vital to the College (such as original copies of student records), explain why it is vital and ask for permission to photocopy it before it is taken. If materials are protected by privacy laws (such as FERPA or HIPAA), request that those documents not be inspected until you speak with the General Counsel. Document any information or materials that are taken. Ask for a copy of the list of items that are being seized during the search.
I am aware of an international student who has changed plans and decided to remain in the U.S. due to concerns that they may experience difficulty returning to the United States to study. What can the College do to provide support?
If you know of someone in this position, please contact the Office of Student Life or the Dean of Students, or file a One Pard report. This will activate the College Care Team, which will connect with the student directly to provide support and resources.
The College is prepared to offer housing and food support if needed to accommodate students who find themselves in this position over the summer recess in a manner consistent with College policies and procedures.
I would like to consult with an attorney to obtain legal advice on immigration issues, travel abroad, and/or similar issues. Whom can I contact?
The College has the ability to facilitate limited consultations with pro bono legal counsel for students. For more information, please contact Ernest Jeffries, Vice President for Inclusion. His office phone number is 610-330-5140 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and his email address is jeffriee@lafayette.edu.
If you are currently working with Heather Hartner, Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Interim Human Resources Director, on a visa or permanent residency application, please contact Hartner. Where appropriate, she can facilitate a conversation with the attorney working on such an application. Hartner is the College’s primary internal contact for immigration-related issues for faculty and staff. She may also relay time-sensitive messages to the appropriate individuals at the College. Her office phone number is 610-330-5038 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is hartnerh@lafayette.edu.
If you do not fit into one of these two categories, the College has prepared a list of immigration attorneys(PDF file, Lafayette authentication required) you can consider contacting for legal advice and/or representation. If you choose to retain an attorney, you will be responsible for any fees they charge you.
How is the College handling the recent travel ban and changes to the student visa process?
The College continues to keep a close watch on the SEVIS database, review records carefully to see if any campus community members connected to any of the countries implicated in the travel restrictions announced, and is prepared to offer outreach and support to any students, faculty, or staff who may be affected throughout the summer, including emergency housing and resources for students whose travel plans may change.
International Students
I am an international student with questions and concerns regarding maintaining my legal student status. To whom do I go for advice and support?
Janine Block, Associate Director for International Student Advising and Support/Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), is the College’s primary contact for international students. Block can provide assistance with reviewing and monitoring your SEVIS records, field emergency calls, and relay time-sensitive messages to the appropriate individuals at the College. Her office phone number is 610-330-5546 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is blockj@lafayette.edu.
The College has the ability to facilitate limited consultations with pro bono legal counsel. For more information, please contact Ernest Jeffries, Vice President for Inclusion. His office phone number is 610-330-5140 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and his email address is jeffriee@lafayette.edu.
I am an international student and I am interested in seeking legal advice. Whom can I contact?
The College has the ability to facilitate limited consultations with pro bono legal counsel. For more information, please contact Ernest Jeffries, Vice President for Inclusion. His office phone number is 610-330-5140 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and his email address is jeffriee@lafayette.edu.
If you are seeking legal advice beyond what is provided through pro bono legal counsel, the College has prepared a list of immigration attorneys(PDF file, Lafayette authentication required) you can consider contacting for legal advice and/or representation. If you choose to retain an attorney, you will be responsible for any fees they charge you.
I am an international student who has changed plans to return home due to concerns that I may experience difficulty returning to the United States to study. What can the College do to support me?
If you find yourself in this position, please contact the Dean of Students. They will activate the College Care Team, which will connect with you directly to provide support and resources.
The College is prepared to offer housing and food support if needed to accommodate students who find themselves in this position over the summer recess in a manner consistent with College policies and procedures.
I am an international student and plan to return to my home country during summer or winter break. How can I best prepare for my re-entry to the U.S.?
In light of the continued uncertainty at the federal level and the often unique circumstances that surround individual travel plans, the College is unable to offer specific advice on whether or not international students should return to their home country during summer or other breaks from normal study. Given the evolving situation, however, we ask that you make decisions prioritizing your own judgments around safety. There are a number of websites that may provide additional perspectives, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, National Immigration Law Center, Higher Ed Immigration Portal, Informed Immigrant, and Public Counsel.
This international travel advisory provides helpful information related to preparing to travel outside the U.S. and what one might expect upon return. This advisory does not take the place of legal advice. You should contact an immigration attorney to discuss your individual situation, immigration status, immigration history, criminal record, and any other factors that may impact your ability to successfully return to the United States after foreign travel.
The College has the ability to facilitate limited consultations with pro bono legal counsel. For more information, please contact Ernest Jeffries, Vice President for Inclusion. His office phone number is 610-330-5140 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and his email address is jeffriee@lafayette.edu.
If you are seeking legal advice beyond what is provided through pro bono legal counsel, the College has prepared a list of immigration attorneys(PDF file, Lafayette authentication required) you can consider contacting for legal advice and/or representation. If you choose to retain an attorney, you will be responsible for any fees they charge you.
If you are traveling outside the U.S. for short-term personal reasons while classes are in session, please note that you must make an appointment with your class dean to discuss your plans and notify the Office of International Student Advising & Support by completing theTemporary Absence Travel Reporting Form.
I am a citizen of one of the countries facing visa restrictions and travel bans by the U.S. What is Lafayette doing to provide support during these uncertain times?
The College is continuously monitoring activity from the federal government, including its recent consideration to add more countries to the travel ban list. You are vital members of our community, and we will continue to keep you informed as we learn more.
Additionally, the College continues to keep a close watch on the SEVIS database, review records carefully to see if any campus community members connected to any of the countries implicated in the travel restrictions announced, and is reaching out to those who are affected to offer outreach and support throughout the summer, including emergency housing and resources for those whose travel plans may change.
I am in the process of applying for a visa, or my visa is about to expire. What actions should I take?
Depending on your situation:
If you have already scheduled a visa interview, please proceed with your appointment as planned and make sure you have all the required documents with you.
If you need to apply for or renew a visa but do not yet have an appointment, continue checking your consulate website regularly and book the earliest available slot.
If you have not yet left the U.S. but were planning to travel abroad this summer, please contact Janine Block immediately to discuss your travel plans. Janine Block, Associate Director for International Student Advising and Support/Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), is the College’s primary contact for international students. Block can provide assistance with reviewing and monitoring your SEVIS records, field emergency calls, and relay time-sensitive messages to the appropriate individuals at the College. Her office phone number is 610-330-5546 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is blockj@lafayette.edu.
So that the College can stay in close touch, please update your current location and any upcoming or needed visa renewal appointments by completing this form.
Study Abroad and other College-Supported Student Travel Abroad
I am a student studying abroad. How can I best prepare for travel outside the U.S.?
If you are an international student planning to study abroad and have questions about maintaining your student status, Janine Block, Associate Director for International Student Advising and Support/Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), is the College’s primary contact for international students. Her office phone number is 610-330-5546 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is blockj@lafayette.edu.
Rochelle Keesler, Director of International and Off-Campus Education, is the College’s primary contact for study abroad programs. Keesler may be contacted by students participating in study abroad programs now or in the future. Her office phone number is 610-330-5262 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is keeslerr@lafayette.edu.
The College has the ability to facilitate limited consultations with pro bono legal counsel. For more information, please contact Ernest Jeffries, Vice President for Inclusion. His office phone number is 610-330-5140 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and his email address is jeffriee@lafayette.edu.
If you are seeking legal advice beyond what is provided through pro bono legal counsel, the College has prepared a list of immigration attorneys(PDF file, Lafayette authentication required) you can consider contacting for legal advice and/or representation. If you choose to retain an attorney, you will be responsible for any fees they charge you.
Students who are traveling abroad on College-funded or sponsored trips outside of study abroad (e.g., clubs, internships, etc.) are required to register their travel with the Office of International and Off-Campus Education.
This international travel advisory provides helpful information related to preparing to travel outside the U.S. and what one might expect upon return. This advisory does not take the place of legal advice. You should contact an immigration attorney to discuss your individual situation, immigration status, immigration history, criminal record, and any other factors that may impact your ability to successfully return to the United States after foreign travel.
The College has the ability to facilitate limited consultations with pro bono legal counsel. For more information, please contact Ernest Jeffries, Vice President for Inclusion. His office phone number is 610-330-5140 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and his email address is jeffriee@lafayette.edu.
If you are seeking legal advice beyond what is provided through pro bono legal counsel, the College has prepared a list of immigration attorneys(PDF file, Lafayette authentication required) you can consider contacting for legal advice and/or representation. If you choose to retain an attorney, you will be responsible for any fees they charge you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Office of International and Off-Campus Education. Outside of normal business hours, campus dispatch is available 24/7, seven days a week, at 610-330-5330 and will be able to contact appropriate parties immediately.
International Faculty and Staff
I am an international faculty or staff member with questions and concerns regarding maintaining my legal residency status. To whom do I go for advice and support?
Heather Hartner, Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Interim Human Resources Director, is the College’s primary internal contact for immigration-related issues for faculty and staff. Hartner can provide assistance with documentation as well as access to external resources for support. Hartner may also relay time-sensitive messages to the appropriate individuals at the College. Her office phone number is 610-330-5038 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is hartnerh@lafayette.edu.
For faculty members, Ingrid Furniss, Dean of the Faculty, is also an important resource. Her office phone number is 610-330-5866 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is furnissi@lafayette.edu.
I would like to consult with an attorney to obtain legal advice on immigration issues, travel abroad, and/or similar issues. Whom can I contact?
If you are currently working with Heather Hartner, Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Interim Human Resources Director, on a visa or permanent residency application, please contact Hartner. Where appropriate, she can facilitate a conversation with the attorney working on such an application. Hartner is the College’s primary internal contact for immigration-related issues for faculty and staff. She may also relay time-sensitive messages to the appropriate individuals at the College. Her office phone number is 610-330-5038 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is hartnerh@lafayette.edu.
If you do not fit into one of these two categories, the College has prepared a list of immigration attorneys(PDF file, Lafayette authentication required) you can consider contacting for legal advice and/or representation. If you choose to retain an attorney, you will be responsible for any fees they charge you.
I am a faculty or staff member preparing to travel internationally. What advice and support can the College offer me regarding international travel?
In light of the continued uncertainty at the federal level and the often unique circumstances that surround individual travel plans, the College is unable to offer specific advice on whether or not to travel abroad. Given the evolving situation, however, we ask that you make decisions prioritizing your own judgments around safety. There are a number of websites that may provide additional perspectives, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, National Immigration Law Center, Higher Ed Immigration Portal, and Public Counsel.
If you decide to travel abroad, you may find the following information useful, particularly in an emergency situation:
Faculty and staff who are traveling internationally on College business are required to register their travel with International and Off-Campus Education.
Heather Hartner, Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Interim Human Resources Director, is the College’s primary internal contact for immigration-related issues for faculty and staff. Hartner will relay time-sensitive messages to the appropriate individuals at the College. Her office phone number is 610-330-5038 (during normal business hours Monday through Friday), and her email address is hartnerh@lafayette.edu.
Outside of normal business hours, campus dispatch is available 24/7, seven days a week, at 610-330-5330 and will be able to contact appropriate parties immediately.
In the event a faculty or staff member is detained through no fault of their own at a port of entry while traveling abroad on College business, or while acting within the scope of their employment domestically, the College is prepared to assist faculty and staff members in securing appropriate legal counsel at the College’s expense. If your travel is for personal reasons, the College has created a list of immigration attorneys(PDF file, Lafayette authentication required) you can consider contacting for assistance, and you will be responsible for the related expenses.
This international travel advisory provides helpful information related to preparing to travel outside the U.S. and what one might expect upon return. This advisory does not take the place of legal advice. You should contact an immigration attorney to discuss your individual situation, immigration status, immigration history, criminal record and any other factors that may impact your ability to successfully return to the United States after foreign travel.
Heather Hartner, Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Interim Human Resources Director, is the College’s primary internal contact for immigration-related issues for faculty and staff. Her office phone number is 610-330-5038, and her email address is hartnerh@lafayette.edu. Outside of normal business hours, campus dispatch is available 24/7, seven days a week, at 610-330-5330 and will be able to contact appropriate parties immediately.
In the event a faculty or staff member is detained through no fault of their own at a port of entry while traveling abroad on College business, or while acting within the scope of their employment domestically, the College is prepared to assist faculty and staff members in securing appropriate legal counsel at the College’s expense. If your travel is for personal reasons, the College has created a list of immigration attorneys(PDF file, Lafayette authentication required) you can consider contacting for assistance, and you will be responsible for the related expenses.
I am a citizen of one of the countries facing visa restrictions and travel bans by the U.S. What is Lafayette doing to provide support during these uncertain times?
The College is continuously monitoring activity from the federal government, including its recent consideration to add more countries to the travel ban list. The College is also reviewing records carefully to see if any campus community members connected to any of the countries implicated in the travel restrictions announced, and are reaching out to those who are affected to offer outreach and support throughout the summer, including emergency housing and resources for those whose travel plans may change. You are vital members of our community, and we will continue to keep you informed as we learn more.