On Tuesday, December 16, ISSS Director Martin McFarlane sent the following message to international students, faculty, staff, and scholars directly affected by the December 16 White House proclamation:
Earlier today, the White House issued an update to a previous proclamation introducing additional entry restrictions for individuals from your country of citizenship.
If you are physically present in the U.S. at 12:01 EST on Thursday, January 1 (which is 11:01 PM Champaign time on Wednesday, December 31), or if you are in possession of a valid entry visa at that time, then you are not subject to the restrictions in the proclamation. However, if you are outside the U.S. when the new rules go into effect, and do not have a valid U.S. entry visa, you will be prohibited from entering the country.
ISSS recommends making every attempt to be physically in the U.S. before the effective date of these travel restrictions. If this is not possible, and you are not in possession of a valid entry visa, we recommend that students contact their academic program, and staff and scholars contact their supervisor, to discuss program options that may be available. If this proclamation means you need winter break housing and you are a current University Housing resident, please review University Housing’s winter break housing options. If you are not a University Housing resident, private sublease information can be found on the Illinois Abroad Housing Board.
Although those in the U.S. with valid visas should be considered exempt from this policy, it remains unknown how Customs and Border Patrol will administer entry under these new rules. We recommend exercising caution when planning international travel and making a personal assessment of the potential risks associated with attempting to re-enter the U.S. while your country of citizenship is subject to these restrictions.
We want to re-emphasize our understanding of the distress and anxiety this has created for all members of our international community, but especially for those from the listed countries. You are welcome, wanted, and essential part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
ISSS will continue to monitor developments around these restrictions and communicate any updates as quickly as possible.