International Student and Scholar Services would like to remind all of our international students, faculty, staff, and scholars, that although the state of Illinois has legalized recreational use of marijuana for individuals 21 and older, the possession, use and distribution of marijuana is still prohibited under federal law.
It is important to note that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has previously issued guidance that violations of federal law involving marijuana could affect an international student, scholar, or employee’s immigration status or the naturalization process, even in cases where those actions do not violate state law. Individuals found to have violated marijuana federal laws could find themselves permanently ineligible for permanent residence. ISSS does not advise on permanent residency, and therefore recommends you review the USCIS guidance at https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/policymanual/updates/20190419-ControlledSubstanceViolations.pdf and speak with an immigration attorney if you have questions about this specific restriction.
Prohibitions on marijuana also remain in effect for all colleges and universities which receive federal funds. That means all forms of marijuana remain illegal on campus property. Additionally, smoking marijuana on university property violates the Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Campus policy. Campus property includes all property owned, leased, occupied, operated or controlled by the university – including classrooms, residence halls, libraries, outdoor spaces, sidewalks, and university-owned roads, among many other examples. A comprehensive map of the Urbana-Champaign campus property is available at http://tobaccofree.illinois.edu.
The University of Illinois Police Department does not enforce immigration law, and UIPD officers will never ask about a person’s immigration or citizenship status – nonetheless, it is important for visitors who are not U.S. citizens to understand the implications that possession or use of marijuana could have on their immigration status, visa applications, or their ability to enter the United States. Due to the information above, ISSS strongly advises international visitors to abstain from the use of marijuana throughout their time in the United States.