Office for International Students and Scholars Immigration overview presented by Frances O’Brien, Coordinator for Immigration Services.

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Transcript Office for International Students and Scholars Immigration overview presented by Frances O’Brien, Coordinator for Immigration Services.

Slide 1

Office for International Students and
Scholars
Immigration overview presented by Frances O’Brien,
Coordinator for Immigration Services


Slide 2

OISS Staff










Ravi Ammigan, Director
Frances O’Brien, Coordinator for Immigration Services
Anne McCullin, Immigration Services Advisor
Brenda Foraker, Immigration Services Advisor
Janica Kriss, Immigration Services Advisor
Olga Scarpero, Immigration Services Advisor
Jazmin Mora, Immigration Services Advisor
Crystal Coleman, Office Manager
Student Workers and Grad Assistants
We are all here to help you!
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Slide 3

OISS





The OISS Office is located at 44 Kent Way
We serve all international students and scholars who hold non-immigrant
visas, primarily:
– F-1 students
– J-1 students and scholars
– H1B employees
– …as well as all dependents.
OISS is your primary contact for all issues related to your visa and
immigration advice

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Slide 4

When to see OISS






Immigration questions
You want to work or volunteer
You need to extend your I-20/DS-2019
You want to travel outside of the US
You need general advice about how your choices in your academics or
personal life will affect your status in the US

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Slide 5

Advisors


You will have many advisors while you are attending UD!

Only OISS maintains your visa
status!
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Slide 6

How to stay legal in the US











“In Status” = “Legal” “Out of status”= “Illegal”
Always keep your I-20 / DS-2019 valid
Extend I-20 / DS-2019 form before expiration date
Keep Passport valid at all times
Register as a full-time student every semester
Do not work more than 20 hours per week on-campus while school is in
session
Do not work Off-campus without authorization from the OISS
Request an I-20 / DS-2019 Travel Signature before leaving the U.S.
Report change of address at OISS within 10 days
Report Change of Academic Level and Major to OISS
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Slide 7

The I-20 (Used for
F-1 Visa)



Know your expiration date
Cannot extend after expiration
date!

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Slide 8

DS-2019 (for J-1
Visa)



Know your expiration date!
Cannot extend after
expiration date.

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Slide 9

Visa Vs. I-20/DS-2019 – What is the
difference?







We tend to use visa and I-20/DS-2019
interchangeably, but they are different.
Your visa is a permission (like a ticket
or key) to enter the US
Your eligibility document (I-20/DS2019) proves you are in status, and
must be valid at all times
Your visa (in your passport) can expire
while you are in the US.
If your visa expires, the next time you
go home you should get a new one

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Slide 10

Your Responsibilities – Checking-in






First, you must check-in with OISS
If you are here today, you should have done this!
If you have not checked-in with OISS (or if you were missing documents),
you must bring the following documents to OISS as soon as possible:
– Your Passport (with your visa inside)
– Your I-20/DS-2019
– Do not bring copies, or photos on your phone! Only originals will
suffice.
OISS will check you into our system, and register you in SEVIS
If you do not check=in with OISS and provide your original documents,
you will not be registered in SEVIS!
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Slide 11

Your Responsibilities – Updating your
information



You are responsible for updating your current address and contact
information
You are responsible for reading and signing the student responsibilities form
online
– http://www.udel.edu/oiss/forms/SEVISform.html

These forms are due by Friday, February 14th, but we
recommend to do them now!

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Slide 12

Social Security Number







If you work in the US, you should get a social security number (a real
number, with a real card…not the 998 number)
There will be a social security bus trip in the next few weeks
If you can’t make it, you can go by yourself:
– 920 W Basin Road, New Castle, DE
Bring with you:
– Your Passport
– Your Visa
– Your I-20/DS-2019
– Your social security application
– Your employment letter
More information is here on our website:
http://www.udel.edu/oiss/resources/ssn.html
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Slide 13

Obtaining a Driver’s License









If you need a driver’s license, you can apply at the DMV
Wait a minimum of 10 calendar days from the date of entry into the United
States before applying for a driver’s license or ID.
Most states require a nonimmigrant to have a Social Security number (SSN)
or Social Security Administration (SSA) letter of ineligibility prior to applying
for a driver’s license or ID.
The nonimmigrant’s name must match on all supporting documentation. The
DMV will deny any nonimmigrant’s application if the supporting documents
are inconsistent or do not reflect the proper name, DOB and nonimmigrant
status.
You must be in status to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license!
Find out more information on our website:
http://www.udel.edu/oiss/students/id.html
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Slide 14

Programming
OISS also hosts a variety of programs in collaboration with our University
partners:
Coming this Spring:
– Operation Employment (With the Center for Career Services)
– Life in the US Brown Bag Series (With the International Caucus)
– Field Trips to Washington DC and Winterthur
– Coffee Hour
– ….much much more!
• Host family program
– Please inquire with OISS if you require assistance finding a host family,
or would like to experience life with an American family!
Find out more on our website at
http://www.udel.edu/oiss/about/events.html

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Slide 15

Icebreaker: Meet someone new!
What is this person’s name?
What are they studying?
Where are they from? (Specific city or province!)
One interesting fact about this person or his/her hometown.


Slide 16

American Culture
A highlight of generalizations and explanations to help you
navigate your first few months in the US
Frances O’Brien
Coordinator for Immigration Services
University of Delaware
[email protected]


Slide 17

Overview






Individual vs. collective societies
Attitudes about time, work and productivity
Body Language: Personal Space and Eye Contact
Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities
Equality

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Slide 18

Individualism







American’s are taught to “be yourself”
Being unique is embraced
Being independent is encouraged
Personal thoughts, ideas, and inventions are thought to be owned by an
individual, not a group
– Plagiarism – Using someone else’s thoughts, words or ideas as your
own
– Give credit to other individuals!
Read about academic integrity here:
http://www.udel.edu/studentconduct/ai.html

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Slide 19

Time, Work and Productivity
In Your Culture:
1. If we have a meeting at 7pm, when will you arrive? What is acceptable,
what is unacceptable?
2. How do you feel if you have a lot of free time?
3. How do you feel when you see someone not working hard on a regular
basis?
In American Culture:
• It is typically unacceptable to be late to a meeting. In fact, most Americans
will try to be early.
• If you must be late, you should let the other person know and give them a
chance to keep the meeting or reschedule.
• Americans fill up every minute of their day with different activities
• If someone is not working hard or putting in the maximum effort (regularly),
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they are generally considered lazy


Slide 20

Body Language: Eye Contact






Americans generally use direct eye contact when speaking to someone
Direct eye contact is seen as a way to connect with the speaker and listener
If a listener is not making eye contact with a speaker, the listener may be
interpreted as ignoring the speaker
Prolonged eye contact, especially with an unwelcoming facial expression
can be seen as aggressive
Starring can be considered an invasion of personal space. It can be make
Americans very uncomfortable, and could indicate romantic interest, or
could be perceived as impolite or aggressive.

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Slide 21

Body Language: Space

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Slide 22

Body Language: Space









Entering someone’s personal
space can be interpreted as
awkward, sexual or aggressive,
and is in any case uncomfortable
You will have better connections
with people if you give them
space
It is OK to ask if you are too
close for comfort
You can tell if someone is
uncomfortable if they back away
from you
How might these photos be
interpreted?

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Slide 23

Body Language: Space









Entering someone’s personal
space can be interpreted as
awkward, sexual or aggressive,
and is in any case uncomfortable
You will have better connections
with people if you give them
space
It is OK to ask if you are too
close for comfort
You can tell if someone is
uncomfortable if they back away
from you
How might these photos be
interpreted?

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Slide 24

Body Language: Space









Entering someone’s personal
space can be interpreted as
awkward, sexual or aggressive,
and is in any case uncomfortable
You will have better connections
with people if you give them
space
It is OK to ask if you are too
close for comfort
You can tell if someone is
uncomfortable if they back away
from you
How might these photos be
interpreted?

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Slide 25

Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities




Right: A moral or legal entitlement; Something no one should legally or
morally take away from you
– Personal rights
– Legal rights
Responsibility: Something you must or are expected to do or not do
– Social responsibilities
– Legal responsibilities

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Slide 26

Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities
In American Culture, every person has the following personal rights:
• The right to make choices about your life, mind and body
• Who you choose to date and love (regardless of gender, nationality or race)
• Medical decisions about your body
• Where you go to school and what you choose to study or research
• You have the right to say “no”!
• You have the right to defer your response
– You don’t have to answer right away when making a decision about
your life, mind or body
• Privacy and confidentiality in a counseling setting

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Slide 27

Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities
All people, regardless of status, age, or relationship must respect your personal
rights
• Advisors are present in your life to help you make decisions
• They do not and should not make decisions for you about your life, mind or
body

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Slide 28

Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities
In American culture, we respect others’ personal rights (regardless of gender,
age or social status) You must also:
• Respect others when they say “no”
• Do not push someone to do something they do not want to do
• Give people time to think about decisions that affect their life, mind and
body
• If someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you must not put them
in a situation where they must make a decision regarding their life, mind or
body
– People who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol cannot make
these decisions at the moment. This includes giving consent
(permission).
• Do not make decisions for others
• You are entitled to your own choices, but you must respect others’ choices,
even if you do not agree!
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Slide 29

Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities
If your rights are violated, or if you see someone else who’s rights have been
violated, get help immediately





Violated means that someone did not respect your rights
– Medical – A Lawyer or a counselor
– Bodily – The police (911), a counselor, OISS, OEI, Student Health
Services
– Legal – A Lawyer
If you or someone you know is in danger, call 911
If you see something, say something to someone who can help
– Bystander intervention
– If you see someone being put in a dangerous situation, you must
immediately get help
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Slide 30

Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities
If your rights are violated, or if you see someone else who’s rights
have been violated, get help immediately
Support Service

Services
Provided

Reason to Contact

OISS www.udel.edu/oiss

Immigration, Consulting,
Referral to campus sources

Immigration issues, Anything else! (We
will listen and refer you to the right place)

Counseling Services http://www.udel.edu/Counseling/

Private counseling, Referral
to outside sources

Homesickness, Life counseling, Stress
management, Intimate partner violence or
abuse

Office for Equity and Inclusion http://www.udel.edu/oei/

Workshops, Diversity
training, LGBT issues,
Formal complaints for
victims

If you feel you have been discriminated
against

Student Health Services
http://www.udel.edu/studenthealth/

Vaccines, Medical Clinic,
Men and Women’s health,
Lab & X-ray

If you need medical attention, STD testing
and treatment, Prescription medication, or
well-care

Student Wellness and Health Promotion
www.udel.edu/studentwellness

Nutrition counseling, Drug
and Alcohol Awareness,
STD awareness and sexual
health

Have questions about your sexual health,
You or a friend needs help making healthy
choices regarding food or alcohol
consumption
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Public or Campus Safety http://www.udel.edu/police/

Theft prevention, Escorting,

Lost or stolen property, if you are a victim


Slide 31

Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities
If you violate someone’s personal rights, you could face:





Expulsion from the University
Fines, incarceration (jail) and a criminal record
Loss of your visa status
You may not be able to obtain a visa to return to the US in the future

Americans take personal rights very seriously. If you are a victim, say
something. Do not violate others’ personal rights on or off campus.
The University Code of Conduct has explicit policies and explanations about
issues of Personal Rights such as sexual assault, harassment, and prohibited
activities.
http://www.udel.edu/stuguide/13-14/code.html#assault

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Slide 32

Equality






Like individualism, equality has shaped the culture of the US
Men, Women, and people of all races and religions are granted the same
rights, and have the same responsibilities
Distinctions between varying sub-cultures in the US, as well as
socioeconomic distinctions can sometimes be felt
– Degrading others, or judging based on a different lifestyle is frowned
upon and penalized
Some kind customs have not been driven out of the culture
– You may see someone give up a seat to an elderly person or a woman
on a crowded bus, or hold a door
– Some of these chivalrous deeds are legacy customs that are still
welcomed, though not expected

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Slide 33

Equality






Discriminating against someone based on gender identity or expression,
religion, race, color, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or veteran
status is illegal and a violation of the victim’s personal rights
If you violate someone’s rights, you can face:
– Expulsion from the University
– Fines, incarceration (jail) and a criminal record
– Loss of your visa status
– You may not be able to obtain a visa to return to the US in the future
This information can also be found in the University Code of Conduct at:
http://www.udel.edu/stuguide/13-14/code.html#assault

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Slide 34

Questions?
Frances O’Brien
Coordinator for Immigration Services
University of Delaware
[email protected]

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