To the Penn Community:
Global engagement is critical to our mission as a leading research university, bringing the world to Penn and Penn to the world. Penn is committed to welcoming and supporting students, scholars, faculty, and staff from all over the world. We know that recent policy changes and actions related to immigration, visas, and travel are causing uncertainty and anxiety for many members of the Penn community. We are taking action to offer direct support to impacted community members, plan for disruptions caused by potential policy changes, and provide information to ensure that we can continue to support students, scholars, and others.
Below is specific guidance for impacted members of our community:
TRAVEL BAN
A reported travel ban would create three tiers of countries subject to visa restrictions or delays. Citizens from countries on the red list would be barred from entering the United States, while citizens from orange countries would experience visa issuance severely restricted. Countries on the yellow list would have a period of time, reported to be 60 days, to address concerns about passport issuance and information-sharing. The list of countries has been reported here.
Given these reports, we recommend the following:
Avoid Non-Essential Travel: International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is advising impacted individuals who are citizens of the countries on red and orange lists to avoid all non-essential travel outside the United States at this time. Citizens from countries on the yellow list should closely monitor news reports and make individual decisions about international travel. All international students, staff, and faculty should be aware that policies are changing quickly and consider carefully whether to travel abroad for the foreseeable future. We will continue to monitor changes carefully and update the community.
Contact ISSS Advisor and Academic Program Directors: Those impacted by the travel ban should contact their ISSS advisor and the program directors of the School or Center in which they are enrolled or employed to discuss how the travel ban might impact them. We are asking deans and faculty members to consider waivers or alternative accommodations for students for whom international travel is a mandatory or key component of their academic program.
We are also making available the following support services:
Consult with Immigration Attorneys: ISSS will offer short consultation appointments with immigration attorneys for students, scholars, faculty, and staff from countries named in the travel ban to discuss specific issues related to their situation. More details, including how to sign up for a consultation, can be found at this link.
Obtain a Letter of Attendance or Employment: If you are a member of Penn’s international community and are planning to travel abroad, you should travel with a letter of attendance or employment, which can be found on this webpage that has additional information about navigating points of entry into the United States. This letter should be completed by the School or Center in which you are enrolled or employed. The completed letter should only be presented at the port of entry if requested by the immigration officer.
Attend Information Sessions for Summer Planning: ISSS and University Life will host information sessions about remaining on campus this summer that will cover topics such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and housing options. The first session will be held in early April. Specific information on this session will be posted on ISSS social media and on this webpage.
REVOCATION OF STUDENT VISAS
The federal government has also announced its intention to revoke visas of international students and scholars deemed to be supporters of Hamas or the attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.
While it remains unclear who may be directly impacted, we suggest that all members of the Penn community update your emergency contact to include at least one emergency contact in the United States.
Many community members have also raised questions about interacting with law enforcement on campus. The Penn campus is largely open to the public. All law enforcement officers may enter these public spaces without a warrant or subpoena. Most campus buildings, however, are not open to the public, and access to these buildings is limited to those individuals with valid PennCards or law enforcement officers with judicial warrants or subpoenas. If agents have an administrative warrant (as opposed to a judicial warrant or subpoena), they cannot legally access private buildings without explicit permission or invitation.
Public Safety is the official liaison with all law enforcement for the University. If you are approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other law enforcement agents on our campus, contact the Division of Public Safety immediately at 215-573-3333. You may document any interaction, or ask them to wait for Penn Police, but do not interfere with or obstruct the agents. Let them know that you cannot grant them permission to enter University buildings or accept service of a warrant on behalf of the University.
If you have questions about how recent immigration policy initiatives might impact you, please reach out to the following offices:
Penn Resources
International Student and Scholar Services - 215-898-4661
Public Safety - 215-573-3333; 511 (campus phone)
Student Health and Counseling - 215-746-WELL (9355)
Student Intervention Services - 215-746-1203
Non-Penn Legal Resources
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Nationalities Service Center
As the situation evolves, we will continue to ensure that our community is informed and supported to care for each other.
Sincerely,
John L. Jackson, Jr., Provost
Ezekiel Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives