The Office of International Affairs (OIA) urges international visa holders to carefully consider travel outside of the U.S. as potential policy changes, including the possibility of heightened scrutiny and travel restrictions, have been reported in the press.  

The U.S. federal government has not yet released official information about any impending travel restrictions or other changes in U.S. immigration policies.  However, we want to share what we do know so that you can make an informed decision about whether to travel outside of the U.S. at this time.  

What We Know About the Possibility of a Travel Restriction 

The federal government has not issued a travel restriction nor taken any other official action that impacts a visa holder’s ability to reenter the United States after traveling abroad. 

President Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 20 instituting increased review of applications for U.S. immigration benefits including visas and admission to the United States. That order required that, within 60 days, a report be submitted to the president identifying countries whose citizens should be subject to a full or partial restriction on entering the United States. Day 60 was Friday, Mar. 21.   

The federal government may issue a travel restriction shortly after the report deadline of Friday, March 21 and this may apply to visa holders outside of the United States, preventing them from reentering.  Even individuals with a valid visa stamp and all necessary immigration documents may be denied entry subject to this restriction.  A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) official at the airport or land border makes the determination whether to admit someone as a non-immigrant each time someone seeks admission to the U.S.  See https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/applying-admission-united-states for additional information.    

If a travel restriction is implemented, the Office of International Affairs may not be able to help impacted international students, scholars, and employees get back into the U.S. It is possible that impacted individuals would be prevented from reentering the U.S. for an extended period of time.   

No Announcement has been made about the Countries Likely to Be Impacted 

There has been no announcement about which countries’ citizens may be impacted.  The press is speculating on countries that may be on the list based on a draft memo and no official announcements have yet been made. 

Where to Go for Updates 

The Office of International Affairs is closely monitoring news related to possible immigration changes and will reach out to international students, scholars and employees who are citizens of countries that appear to be impacted by changes in U.S. immigration policies including travel ban(s).  

You’ll find updates on travel restrictions and other immigration-related topics at the ISSS Immigration Updates page here - https://www.ucdenver.edu/services/international-student-and-scholar-services/updates.   

The CU System’s Federal Transition Updates website is also a reliable source of information.    

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Is Here to Help!