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Non-citizen students and faculty should reconsider any travel outside the U.S. that is not essential. International students and faculty who travel abroad are strongly encouraged to plan carefully, coordinate with appropriate college officials, and exercise caution. For additional guidance on international travel for students, please see the Office of Student Academic Services' (SAS) March 27 message.  For additional guidance on international travel for faculty, please see the Office of General Counsel’s March 31 message. 

SAS international student and scholars advisors are available to meet and speak with any member of the international community about their specific situation and options. However, community members are ultimately responsible for their own decisions whether or not to travel outside of the U.S.

The federal government has not yet (as of April 17, 2025) issued a travel ban or restrictions that impact a visa holder’s ability to reenter the United States after traveling abroad. In March, the federal government circulated a draft of potential travel restrictions from 43 countries.  Since then, the administration has put any expected travel ban on hold. However, international students and faculty should plan ahead for if and when new travel restrictions are introduced.

The Office of Student Academic Services’ international student and scholars advisors and the Office of the Dean of the Faculty will update Skidmore’s international community in the event of any change to this information.

If the federal government issues a travel ban while an international student or faculty member is traveling abroad, it could apply to visa holders outside the United States and prevent international students and faculty from reentering. Unfortunately, Skidmore does not have any avenue to petition the government to admit international students, scholars, or faculty members who cannot reenter the U.S. due to a travel ban.

Yes. SAS has provided summer housing information to all international students. Housing subsidies are available for international students who decide to live on campus this summer. Please contact Chloe Jaleel for additional information.

Yes. Please contact the director of the international affairs program for additional information.

For international students planning to study abroad, the College recommends the following:

• Ensure your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is up to date and in active status.
• Confirm your Designated School Official (DSO) has signed your Form I-20 and the date of signature will be less than one year old on the day you plan to reenter the U.S.
• Make sure you have your DSO’s contact information, including an emergency number.
• Ensure you have a valid passport and the necessary student visa for the country you plan to study in.
• While studying abroad, keep up to date with any changes to your visa status, travel restrictions, and immigration regulations.

International students studying abroad should bring the following documents to present when returning to the U.S.:

• Your passport, valid for six months beyond your date of re-entry to the U.S.
• Valid U.S. Visa
• A current Form I-20 for F-1 students (DS-2019 for J-1 exchange students), signed by your Designated School Official (DSO) for travel. The DSO signature should be less than one year old when entering the U.S. All international students receive a new I-20 by email in November of each academic year.
• I-901 SEIVS fee payment receipt

In addition to your visa-related documents, Skidmore also recommends:

• Financial information showing proof of funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
• Proof of enrollment for the upcoming semester (e.g., Registrar letter, class schedule)
• Contact information of your Designated School Official.

No, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection official at the airport or land border makes the decision whether to admit someone as a nonimmigrant each time the person presents their immigration documents and seeks admission to the country.

Some questions that you should be prepared to answer include:

• What is the purpose of your visit to the U.S.?
• How long do you plan to be in the U.S.?
• Where are you studying?
• What is your program of study?
• When do your classes start?
• Where are you planning to live?
• Are you a member of any student organizations? If yes, what organizations?
• What study abroad program were you enrolled in?
• How long were you abroad?
• Did you maintain your student status while abroad?
• What do you plan to do with your degree?
• Are you carrying any firearms, weapons, drugs, tobacco, or alcohol?
• Are you carrying any food, meat or agricultural products?
• Are you planning to commit any act of terrorism during your stay in the U.S.?

A secondary inspection takes place in a separate interview area and occurs when a Customs and Border Protection officer cannot verify all of the information or documentation requested. Secondary inspection may entail viewing a student’s SEVIS record and contacting the Office of Student Academic Services to verify that an international student is in good standing. Students returning to the U.S. from outside the country, including from an off-campus study or exchange program, should have the following contact information of the College’s Designated School Officials:

Jamin Totino, Director of Student Academic Services
518-580-8150

Subhan Ali, International Student and Scholar Advisor
518-580-8154

Chloe Jaleel, Academic Counselor and Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services
518-580-8155

International faculty returning to the U.S. should have the following contact information of College immigration and legal staff:

Subhan Ali, International Student and Scholar Advisor
518-580-8154

Sarah Delaney Vero, General Counsel and Vice President for Human Resources
518-580-5814

If after hours, students and faculty should contact Campus Safety at 518-580-5567. Campus Safety is available 24-hours a day and will contact the College’s Designated School Officials and General Counsel.

It is also important to know that CBP officers have the authority to search your phone or other electronic device and all applications contained on them, including your social media accounts. While the practice of reviewing social media accounts at U.S. Ports of Entry has been in place for some time, there has recently been an increase in reported incidents in the media where online content has been used as a basis for denying a visa holder entry to the U.S.

Generally, no. However, if you feel your rights have been violated, you are arrested, or an agent questions you about suspected criminal activity, you should ask to contact an attorney. The College encourages international students and faculty to have contact information for an immigration attorney and has a list of external legal resources available for members of our international community.  

When dealing with CBP officers or any government official, please keep the following considerations in mind:

• Be civil, cordial, and calm.
• Be prepared to answer potential questions and to explain your plans.
• Respond truthfully, briefly, and accurately.
• Refusal to answer any questions may result in denial of reentry.
• State your intent to return to your home country after completing your studies.

SAS will email international students and scholars who are citizens of countries that are specifically impacted by changes in U.S. immigration policies, including travel bans.

Faculty members leading OCSE programs should familiarize themselves with potential immigration implications for both themselves and the students, including:

• Understand the specific visa requirements for the destination country.
• If students encounter immigration issues or changes to their status during the program, seek advice from SAS’s international students and scholars advisors.
• Review and have available the and .
• If a student is selected for a secondary inspection upon returning to the U.S., you are not permitted to attend the inspection. However, you should contact SAS international students and scholars advisors to ensure their availability to promptly assist the student as needed.
• If a student is detained by or refused reentry into the U.S. by immigration or border patrol authorities, contact SAS’s international students and scholars advisors immediately for assistance.