View this email in your browser Table of Contents 1. Greeting 2. Important Announcements -Federal Temporary Restraining Order on Recent Immigration Executive Order - Travel During Spring Break Reminders for International Students 3. Other ISSS Updates and Events - Be an International Friendship Partner Next Semester! - Open Elections for the Cultural Connections Eboard! -ISSS Boston Trip- Limited Spots Available -OPT/CPT Workshops 4. University at Albany - Do You Need Career Development Help? Try these Resources! -Academic Assistance 5. Events in Albany Area -Colonie Restaurant Week
1. Greeting This is our Weekly ISSS Newsletter that we send out every Friday morning. It includes very important updates that you must be aware of, as well as information about events happening on campus and in the area. 2. Important Announcements Federal Temporary Restraining Order on Recent Immigration Executive Order The U.S. District Court in Hawaii has issues a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the recent Executive Order related to Immigration ("Executive Order Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States"). The U.S. District Court in Maryland has also issued a preliminary injunction, and additional suits are pending in a number of other states including Washington, New York, California, Massachusetts and Oregon. The below is taken from NAFSA (http://www.nafsa.org/professional_resources/browse_by_interest/international_students _and_scholars/executive_order_entry_ban_litigation_updates/): March 15, 2017 - Hawaii lawsuit. On March 15, 2017, the U.S. District Court in Hawaii issued a nationwide temporary restraining order, preventing the Government from enforcing Executive Order 13780's Section 2(c) 90-day entry bar and Section 6 120-day refugee entry bar, which had been scheduled to go into effect on March 16, 2017. March 16, 2017 - Maryland lawsuit. On March 16, 2017, the U.S. District Court in Maryland issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, preventing the Government from enforcing Executive Order 13780's 90-day entry bar, which had been scheduled to go into effect on March 16, 2017. Also read the court opinion supporting the preliminary injunction order. This order enjoins enforcement of the Section 2(c) 90-day entry bar, but not the Section 6 bar on refugee admissions. Section 2(c) to which the Hawaii TRO refers is the section pertaining to the 6 impacted countries (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) and limitations on their admittance into the United States during the 90 day period (which was set to start March 16th ). This TRO puts a stay on the enactment of this. Please note that this situation is currently in flux, and that a countersuit may be filed. This means that this information is subject to change, and may change at any time. Please contact ISSS for the most up to date information or if you have any questions. Travel During Spring Break Reminders for International Students Students Travelling within the United States: Students who are travelling within the United States are recommended to have their immigration documents with them. These documents may include: -passport -visa -I-20 or DS-2019 - I-94 (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov) -transcript (recommended) -student ID (recommended)
You should only present these documents upon request by an official. Make sure that you keep these documents in a safe, secure, and easily accessible place while travelling. Be aware of potential theft of bags left unattended which may include your identification documents inside. It is also recommended to have copies of your documents in case these documents are lost or not on your person. You may also want to keep pictures of your documents on your phone while travelling. Students Travelling Outside the United States: Students travelling outside the United States are required to present the Border Officer with the following documents upon re-entry: - Valid passport - Valid F-1 or J-1 visa - Valid I-20 or DS-2019 signed within the past year for travel, or past 6 months for students on OPT - Students on OPT must have a valid EAD and proof on ongoing employment (contract of offer letter) - I-94 (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov) Additionally, we recommend having the following items on hand in case the officer asks for additional evidence: - Transcript - Student ID - Proof of finances - Proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee Additional documents may be useful depending on the student s individual circumstance. If you were planning to renew your visa during the break, please check with your local consulate on the requirements for renewing the visa, and whether these requirements have recently been updated. ISSS recommends applying for a visa renewal in your home country. If you are placed in secondary inspection (i.e. additional inspection at the port of entry), provide officers with clear, brief, and factual answers to questions. It has been increasingly reported that officers have asked to check travelers phones, including photos and social media accounts. Students concerned about this may wish to review their social media profiles and phone content before re-entry. In Case of Emergency: ISSS s contact number is 518-591-8172, and UAlbany Campus Police s number is 518-442-3130 3. Other Updates Be an International Friendship Partner next semester! Do you want to be part of the UAlbany multicultural community? Do you want to earn credits while having fun? The International Friendship Partners is a series of programs designed to help both American and international students make friends with each other. Participants will also learn different cultures and languages through cultural activities. You can choose to participate in one or more programs listed below:
Open Elections for Cultural Connections Eboard! Cultural Connections is a new and growing student group on campus and you can be a part of developing it! Cultural Connections has three main goals:
1. To promote cultural cooperation between students on the UAlbany campus and surrounding communities through cultural programming, exchange, and trainings 2. To build a community which advocates for the importance of a global perspective and the needs of a diverse campus, including our population of over 1,900 international students 3. To help members develop leadership skills which will enable them to be better members of the campus and local communities, and also more marketable to future employers Why should you join cultural connections? 1. A great way to make new friends on campus! 2. Boost your resume and develop your leadership skills to make you a better student, employee, and global citizen 3. Learn from other students, such as new languages, cultures, and ideas Email culturalconnections@gmail.com for more information and make sure you submit your application by April 1st!
ISSS Boston Trip- Limited Spots Available! Join ISSS for our last trip of the semester! Boston is a city rich with history and American
culture. Spend the day exploring this New England city with ISSS guides or on your own! Sign up quick because spots are limited! When: Saturday, April 15th, 8am-10pm **Please note this newly announced date** Cost: Only $43-- cheaper than gas! Includes: Transportation to Boston, Massachusetts Interested? Sign up here: https://goo.gl/forms/gd07sduukzp7tlp23 or in the ISSS office (Science Library G-40) Questions? Please contact ISSS@albany.edu
OPT/CPT Workshop Graduating in May? You should attend an OPT workshop. OPT takes on average 90 days to process, so apply early! No appointment or reservation is needed, all workshops are walk-in welcome!
4. University at Albany Events Do You Need Career Development Help? Try these Resources! 1) CAREER DROP-IN HOURS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: The International Education Office will have a representative available from UAlbany s career services office every Monday afternoon from 1:00 5:00 PM for career-related Drop-In hours. So, if you have questions about how to find a job or internship or if you just want someone to critique your resume stop by the International Education Office on Monday afternoons between 1:00 and 5:00 PM and ask if you can see Ryan for Career Drop-In Hours 2) MY WORLD ABROAD QUICK-GUIDES: International students looking for information on the American job-search process can find lots of information through the My World Abroad website here: http://myworldabroad.com/albany. After you register with your UAlbany email, you can access a list of Quick-Guides in the Tools for Students section at the bottom of the webpage. Look for The North American Identity in the International Workplace as well as Career-boosting Strategies for International Students Studying in North America. Here s a direct link to the Quick Guides: http://myworldabroad.com/quick- Guides/en. Academic Assistance Midterms are right around the corner! Get the best grade possible by using AdvisingPLUS services. Online tutoring is offered multiple nights a week to help you get that A! Find out more here: http://www.albany.edu/advisingplus/50962.php The Student Success Center in State Quad also has free, weekly drop-in tutoring and group study sessions. See the schedule below:
5. Events in Albany Area
- Colonie Restaurant Week When: Monday, Mar 20, 2017 until Friday, Mar 24, 2017 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM Cost: $25 Enjoy 3-course meals at the most-loved restaurants in the Capital Region for only $25! #tasteofcolonie www.tasteofcolonie.com Participating restaurants: Barnsider Restaurant The Bull & Barrel Smokehouse Grill The Century House The Grille inside Radisson Hotel Albany Il Faro Restaurant & Bar Innovo Kitchen Lagonia's To Go Market Restaurant inside Albany Marriott Martel's Grill at Town of Colonie Golf Course Mercato's III Philly's Bar & Grill Wolf's 1-11 Restaurant