Penn International Student and Scholarship Services Addresses Immigration Policy Changes
Last week, the Penn International Student and Scholarship Services (ISSS) released guidance for the university community in light of recent federal court rulings that have invalidated certain U.S. immigration policies.
The update, issued on June 17 by ISSS Executive Director Rodolfo Altamirano, follows a ruling from the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, who annulled a policy that had “suspended, delayed, or targeted applications for certain immigration benefits.” In response, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced its intention to comply with the court order while an appeal is under review.
Individuals from the 39 countries most impacted by travel restrictions may experience advancements in their employment authorization, green card applications, and other USCIS benefit requests, as noted in the ISSS update.
In a statement to the Daily Pennsylvanian, Altamirano characterized the ruling as a significantly positive outcome for students, scholars, staff, and faculty at Penn State. He remarked that it could expedite previously delayed applications for immigration benefits, although he cautioned that the ruling does not guarantee automatic approvals for pending applications. A substantial backlog still exists, and the appeals process continues to unfold.
Altamirano also emphasized the importance of making “major decisions regarding immigration, employment, and travel” on a case-by-case basis, encouraging individuals to consult appropriate resources as needed.
The guidance from ISSS reaffirms that “the appeal remains valid” and the travel ban is still enforced. Altamirano stated that ISSS would persist in monitoring developments and will keep the university community informed as new information emerges.
Earlier this month, ISSS warned individuals to remain alert following a federal court’s determination that the Department of Homeland Security’s $100,000 surcharge on H-1B visas is illegal. Altamirano advised all Pennsylvania departments and H-1B visa holders to adhere to existing institutional guidance, as further government actions are expected. The federal government is currently appealing this decision, asserting that the fee constitutes a legitimate exercise of federal authority.
On June 12, the same court issued an administrative stay of the judgment, resulting in the $100,000 fee remaining in effect pending further judicial proceedings. Last June, ISSS had urged students from 12 countries to return to the United States immediately after travel restrictions were imposed by the Trump administration. Six months later, these restrictions expanded and took effect on January 1, with ISSS advising affected individuals to avoid non-essential international travel during that period.
