Updated Information and Reminders Regarding Immigration and Summer Travel

Community

In light of the upcoming summer holiday, we would like to offer members of our campus communities the following updated information and reminders regarding immigration and travel. 

Presidential Proclamations and USCIS Policy Memorandum

Last year, the White House issued two Presidential Proclamations[1] suspending the entry of certain nationals from approximately forty (40) countries.[2] Currently, entry of nationals of these countries who were physically outside of the United States and did not have a valid visa as of January 01, 2026 is either fully or partially suspended, with limited exceptions.[3] Furthermore, USCIS issued a related policy memorandum[4]placing a hold on all benefit requests filed by or on behalf of nationals who were born in or are nationals of one of the affected countries. 

Travel and Immigration Considerations 

  1. If you are a national of an affected country, consider deferring any non-essential travel at this time. Remaining in the U.S. is the safest way to avoid interruptions to study or employment. 
  2. If you are not a national of an affected country, consider deferring any non-essential travel, particularly if you have any indicators of risk in your personal profile, such as, but not limited to, prior visa denials, certain advocacy efforts, run-ins with law enforcement, indicators of immigrant intent or potential prior visa violations. If you have any indicators of risk in your profile, consider consulting with a personal immigration attorney prior to any domestic or international travel. 
  3. If you plan to travel internationally, please make sure you have a valid visa in your passport to return or ensure you have a timely visa appointment scheduled before departure. Nonimmigrants, including H-1B, F-1, and J-1 visa holders, who need to renew their visas are instructed to schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or last residence. With limited exception, nonimmigrants may not renew their visa in a third country.[5] Further, the Department of State has expanded social media screening for visa applicants, including H-1B, F-1, and J-1 visa holders, when assessing admissibility.[6]  
  4. In general, all people arriving to the U.S. have basic rights at the ports of entry. However, all international travelers, including U.S. citizens, have diminished First and Fourth Amendment rights before admission into the U.S. All international travelers are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when arriving at both air and land ports of entry. CBP will screen travelers to determine whether they are “admissible.”[7]
  5. CBP agents may ask travelers questions, including those related to the purpose of their travel and eligibility to enter the U.S. CBP may collect biographic data, run records checks, and conduct warrantless searches of bags and electronic devices and otherwise attempt to determine whether someone should be admitted to the U.S. In searching electronic devices, they may ask for access to social media accounts, including usernames and passwords, and can scrutinize and copy sensitive digital information. If a traveler refuses to cooperate, CBP may delay their travel, seize their device, and further detain and question them. For non-U.S. citizens, CBP may also deny entry.[8]
  6. All non-U.S. citizens should carry with them documentation that corroborates their identity and immigration status at all times during travel and while present in the U.S. Legal permanent residents should carry with them their Green Card. Non-immigrants or people on temporary statuses should carry with them a photo ID, such as a valid passport or state issued ID, and immigration documents specific to their status.[9]

This content is shared for informational purposes only. The UMass Office of Global Affairs (https://www.umass.edu/global-affairs/international-students-scholars) is available to assist with any visa or immigration issue. If you are not on a University sponsored student or employment visa, we cannot advise on the specifics of your circumstance but may provide a list of local immigration resources. Please contact us (iss [at] umass [dot] edu (iss[at]umass[dot]edu)) if you have any questions or require any assistance. If calling after US East Coast business hours, please call the UMass Amherst Police Department dispatch number (available 24-hours a day/7-days a week) at 413-545-2121 and your call will be forwarded to the Office of Global Affairs staff member on duty.

[1] Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats and Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States

[2] Full Suspension: Afghanistan; Burma; Chad; Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Haiti; Iran; Libya; Somalia; Sudan; Yemen; Burkina Faso; Laos; Mali; Niger; Sierra Leone; South Sudan; Syria; Palestine. Partial Suspension: Burundi; Cuba; Togo; Venezuela; Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Benin; Cote d ‘Ivoire; Dominica; Gabon; The Gambia; Malawi; Mauritania; Nigeria; Senegal; Tanzania; Tonga; Zambia; Zimbabwe; Turkmenistan

[3] Limited exceptions include legal permanent residents (Green Card holders), foreign nationals with valid U.S. visas as of January 01, 2026, and dual nationals traveling on a passport of a country that is not listed in the proclamation. 

[4] Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High – Risk Countries

[5] Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Applicants in Their Country of Residence, U.S. Department of States, last modified 12/12/2025, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/adjudicating-niv-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence.html

[6] Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants, U.S. Department of States, last modified 03/25/2026, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/announcement-of-expanded-screening-and-vetting-for-visa-applicants.html

[7] CBP Search Authority, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, last modified 01/28/2026, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority; Enforcement at the Airport, ACLU, last modified 12/18/2025, https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-law-enforcement-airports-and-other-ports-entry-us  

 

[8] Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, last modified 01/28/2026, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority/border-search-electronic-devices

[9] Alien Registration Requirement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, last modified 05/06/2025, https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration

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