Immigration Changes FAQs

As a public university within the UNC System, the University is required to comply with all applicable laws and policies. UNC Charlotte also remains committed to ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of our community. 

In support of our international community, the University has compiled a series of frequently asked questions to provide relevant information to faculty, staff and students.  While these FAQs are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice, the University wants to ensure you know there are resources available to get specialized help if you need it. If you are looking for updates on key legal and policy changes, UNC Charlotte regularly updates a central page with information for the campus community.

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

GENERAL INFORMATION

I don’t know what a specific immigration-related term, document or agency means. Is there somewhere I can search for a definition?

Are there any specific record-keeping rules I need to follow?

The International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) is the primary resource for up-to-date guidance on maintaining your specific visa status.  Federal law requires non-citizens to report any address change to DHS within 10 days of moving and carry proof of their registration at all times (such as Form I-94, current EAD, or permanent residency card). While these are not new requirements, they are important to keep in mind as you review other policy updates.

Where can I find support for my specific concerns or questions?

UNC Charlotte recognizes that immigration matters are often complex and deeply personal. The International Student and Scholar Office is available to consult on University-sponsored visa compliance and immigration-related travel issues for individuals holding current F-1, H-1B, and J-1 status. 

However, the University cannot provide legal representation to students or employees in personal immigration matters, including detention scenarios, and does not endorse any particular attorney or legal service. 

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

University protocol for responding to law enforcement or government agents is outlined in UNC Charlotte’s Guidelines for Visits and Data Requests from Law Enforcement or Government Agents and is summarized below.

Can the University prohibit external law enforcement agencies from entering campus? 

Like other public institutions and spaces, UNC Charlotte’s campus is subject to local, state and federal law, and law enforcement officers acting within their legal authority may enter campus to perform official duties. The University cannot ban external agencies from entering campus or impede law enforcement activities.

The University’s role is to ensure the safety of the campus community and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. When law enforcement activity occurs on campus, the University works to ensure it is conducted in a manner that minimizes disruption to academic operations and respects the rights of individuals, consistent with the law.

What is considered a public space?

  • In general, public spaces are areas open to the broader public, such as lobbies, open grounds, and other unrestricted spaces.

Who has access to public spaces?

  • Members of the general public may access public areas of campus.
  • Law enforcement officers, including immigration agents, may enter public areas of campus without a warrant.

What is considered a nonpublic, or private, space? 

  • Nonpublic, Private campus spaces include areas where access is restricted or controlled, including:
    • spaces requiring University‑issued identification cards, locked doors or monitored entryways
    • university residence halls 
    • individual faculty and administrator offices
    • Classrooms while in session
    • locker rooms and other operational facilities
  • Some spaces may be left unlocked during work hours but are still not considered public areas due to their function. The University may limit access to campus spaces as necessary, and nonpublic campus areas may be designated with appropriate signage.

Who has access to nonpublic, or private, spaces?

  • Appropriate campus officials.
  • Individuals authorized by an appropriate campus official or someone who is authorized to access the nonpublic space. 
  • Officers who have a valid judicial warrant. This warrant will be signed by a judge and be specific to that space.
  • Those assigned access to a nonpublic space based on their University status (faculty, staff, students).

What if I am approached by someone who says they are a law enforcement officer? 

  • Request that they wait while you follow campus protocol.
  • Call UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety at 704-687-8300 (answered 24/7). Police and Public Safety will verify the credentials of any agent on campus and coordinate with the Office of Legal Affairs on the review of any subpoenas or warrants presented. 
  • Whenever approached by federal agents, students, faculty and staff can inform agents that they do not have authority to release individualized information without additional consultation.  
  • If the situation is an emergency, dial 911. 

What should I do if I am asked to provide information about a student or employee?

Contact the Office of Legal Affairs at 704-687-5732 if you receive a records request from a law enforcement officer.  

  • If applicable, you can share the following information with the official(s):
    • “I appreciate that you are interested in obtaining some information from the University, and I am going to do my best to assist you. University policies and applicable law generally do not permit me to share information about our faculty, staff, or students with you. University protocol also requires that our campus police verify your credentials. I am happy to escort you to a place where you can wait for UNC Charlotte Police. Also, I will contact the university Office of General Counsel for guidance on responding to your information request.”
  • If the agent(s) presses for immediate action, please maintain professionalism, repeat the paragraph above, and contact your supervisor or campus security.

Note: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other privacy laws may prohibit disclosure without a subpoena or court order, and the University does not disclose private student or employee information unless required by law. Similarly, the North Carolina Human Resources Act restricts access to most employee information without written consent. 

What should I do if I see someone on campus or in the vicinity taken into custody by federal agents?

  • Call UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety at 704-687-8300 

What does it mean when a SEVIS record is terminated?

  • A SEVIS record termination is an administrative action taken by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a branch of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It means the government has changed an individual’s SEVIS record to inactive, based on a determination that they are no longer maintaining valid nonimmigrant status. When this occurs:
    • The individual’s F-1 or J-1 status ends immediately;
    • Any associated employment authorization (such as OPT, STEM OPT, or Academic Training) is no longer valid; and
    • The individual may be considered out of status and should not continue working.
  • If you receive a termination notification, you should:
    • Stop working immediately;
    • Consult a qualified immigration attorney (resources may be found at AILAlawyer.org) and contact your consulate; and
    • Share any relevant correspondence from federal agencies with the University’s International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO), if you are comfortable doing so.
  • UNC Charlotte is closely monitoring SEVIS records and providing accurate information and appropriate referrals to impacted individuals in accordance with federal law.

Can a SEVIS termination decision be reversed?

  • In some cases, yes. Several SEVIS records involving UNC Charlotte students that were terminated during the spring 2025 were reactivated following additional federal review. While these reactivations demonstrate that change is possible, outcomes remain highly case-specific. Students with travel-related questions should contact the International Student and Scholar Office for the most up-to-date guidance.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

How have the Presidential Proclamations affected international travel for nationals of certain countries?

  • On Dec. 16, 2025, the White House issued Presidential Proclamation 10949, which became effective on Jan. 1, 2026, and expanded the number of countries subject to visa restrictions from 19 to 39. In line with this most recent proclamation, the Department of State fully suspended visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries, which has been divided into two categories. The restrictions apply only to foreign nationals of the subject countries who are outside the United States and do not hold a valid U.S. visa as of June 9, 2025, or Jan. 1, 2026. 
  • The restrictions are divided into two categories:
    • Category 1 – Full Suspension of Visa Issuance:
      Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Palestinian Authority
    • Category 2 – Partial Suspension of Visa Issuance:
      Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
  • If you are an international student, scholar or employee with visa sponsorship and hold citizenship from one of the listed countries and are considering international travel, please consult the ISSO website and speak with an ISSO advisor before finalizing any plans. Entry to the U.S. may be restricted depending on your visa type, travel history, and country of citizenship. As immigration policies can change quickly, staying informed is essential.

Are there any other important considerations for international students and employees regarding their status or travel?

  • Yes. International students and employees should monitor federal guidance regularly, as visa policies and travel restrictions may change.
  • Additionally, in accordance with long-standing immigration law, international students and scholars must carry their immigration registration documents at all times. The International Student and Scholar Office can provide up-to-date guidance on maintaining visa status and travel considerations for international students and scholars. For questions related to studying abroad, please contact the Office of Education Abroad. 

Are there additional considerations if I am seeking to enter the U.S. with electronic devices?

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices—including phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices—of anyone entering the U.S., including U.S. citizens and non-citizens. For general information, data use and retention policies, and privacy and transparency questions, review CBP’s webpage about searching electronic devices.
  • UNC Charlotte has a policy for traveling internationally with University-owned property, including University-owned electronic devices. For more information, please review the Export Control Forms and Checklists and plan to complete all forms for review at least two weeks prior to travel. 

EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFIT UPDATES

Is there now a $100,000 fee for sponsoring an employee on an H-1B nonimmigrant visa?

  • Yes, but it has a limited application.  On Sept. 19, 2025, a Presidential Proclamation restricted entry into the U.S. for all new H-1B petitions unless they were accompanied or supplemented by a payment of $100,000. The effective date of this proclamation was Sept. 21, 2025. The fee applies to any new H-1B petition submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when the beneficiary is located outside the U.S. and does not have a valid H-1B visa stamp. 
  • The fee does not apply when the beneficiary requests a change of status or an amendment or an extension of status when the beneficiary is inside the U.S. The Proclamation does not prevent any current holder of a valid H-1B visa and I-797 from traveling in and out of the United States. At this time, there are no industries or organizations exempt from this fee, but there is a mechanism for the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant waivers. 

Have there been changes to the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for certain employment authorization categories?

  • Yes.  On Oct. 30, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced an interim final rule ending the practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents for individuals who filed timely renewal applications in certain employment authorization categories. Accordingly, individuals who file to renew their EAD on or after Oct. 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension of their EAD.  This interim final rule did not affect EADs automatically extended before Oct.  30, 2025.  USCIS recommends individuals seek a timely renewal of their EAD by properly filing a renewal application up to 180 days before their EAD expires to minimize the likelihood of a temporary lapse in their employment authorization or documentation. For more information, please review the Export Control Forms and Checklists and plan to complete all forms for review at least two weeks prior to travel. 

Are there other limitations in place related to employment or benefits?

A policy memorandum issued on Jan. 1, 2026, updated Presidential Proclamation 10998 and directed USCIS to place a hold on all pending benefit applications for nationals of the 39 countries listed in the proclamation. Benefits in this context can include employment authorization and adjustment of one immigration status to another.