• If you are currently enrolled as an F-1 or J-1 Student, please review the requirements for maintaining your status in the United States.
• If you are an F-1 Student participating in OPT or STEM OPT or a J-1 Student participating in Academic Training, please review their respective sections regarding your reporting and status maintenance requirements.
• If you are a J-1 Exchange visitor here as a part of a Student Internship or as a Research Scholar or Professor, please review the requirements for maintaining your status in the United States
• If you are in a non-immigrant status other than F or J, or are in an F or J status sponsored by someone other than Texas A&M University, please work with your sponsor to ensure that you are complying with current regulations relating to maintaining your status.
• If your current status is at risk of expiring (e.g., if you are in a dependent status and are at risk of aging out of your status), make plans to change status in advance of that expiration to avoid interruptions in your studies or work.
• Please make sure that your current passport is up to date. We highly recommend renewing your passport more than 6 months before the printed expiration date.
• If you are planning to depart from the United States with intent to return, please make sure your current visa is valid or make plans to renew it while you are outside the United States.
• If you are currently making plans to travel outside the United States, please review the information on our website regarding this.
• If you currently have dependents associated with your immigration record, please make sure that their records are also appropriately in compliance.

• For Students and Exchange Visitors, your current Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
• Or otherwise, your most current Form I-94.
• Or otherwise, your Approval Notice (Form I-797, Notice of Action) relating to your change of status, receipt of status, or approval to a specific authorization that does not confer status (e.g., Deferred Action, Temporary Protected Status) 
• Where applicable, your current employment authorization document (Form I-766). 

• Your current passport
• Your most recent visa (if separate from your passport)
• Proof of Residency
• Proof of Enrollment
• Proof of Employment

General Advice:

• If you are involved in an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other law enforcement officers, stay calm and do not obstruct the agents or officers. 
• Do not lie to officers or give false documents.
• Stay calm; do not run from, fight, or argue with law enforcement officers. 
• Remember that you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with and be represented by an attorney. 
  • We do not recommend saying anything, signing anything, or making any decisions regarding your status or safety without consulting with an attorney.
• Remember that you can request to see badges, identification, and relevant court warrants when speaking with law enforcement. 

Document Records:

• Apply the 3-2-1 rule for maintaining backups of your necessary records: Make three copies, keep them in two separate locations, with one location off-site.
• Keep a folder of printed copies of any essential documents with you when you are traveling.
• Have records of the following documents:
  • For Students and Exchange Visitors, your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
  • Your most recent Form I-94 showing legal entry into the United States or showing successful change of status within the United States.
  • Your most currently issued visa -- even if expired, this can help show that you were legally entitled to enter the United States.
  • Your current passport.
  • If your immigration status includes a benefit that provides work authorization, keep a copy of your Employment Authorization Document. This may either be in the form of your Form I-766 EAD or your I-797 Notice of Action showing approval for your change of status to a work-authorized status (e.g., H-1B)
  • Approval notices (I-797, Notice of Action) relating to a successful submission of Forms I-821 / I-821D, or subsequent confirmations of advance parole following a submission of Form I-140.
  • Any appropriate documentation for your dependents.
  • Any other documents that establish that you are legally in the United States, have residency within the United States, and are complying with both the requirements for maintaining your status in the United States and in your home country.
• If you have medications that you are required to take, keep a record of the prescriptions and contact information for the prescribing physician and filling pharmacy.
• Photocopies of some documents (including, but not limited to, drivers' licenses, social security cards, passports) are not usable as legal copies of those documents for their intended purpose, but may be sufficient to show that the originals exist.
  • We would not recommend using photographs on your phone to show documents to a law enforcement officer. If you do use digital photos on your phone or other personal device as a means to provide documents, please be aware that doing so may be construed as giving that officer consent to search your device. 

Contacts and Personal Information: 

• Commit to memory the phone numbers and relevant addresses for 
  • Immediate Family
  • Friends or Trusted persons who may hold your immigration record backups.
  • Employer or HR Contact for your academic office.
  • International Students and Scholar Services (979-845-1824)
  • Your Immigration Attorney
• Be sure you know your local address, your phone number.
• If you have received an immigration number (A-number), commit it to memory.
• The contact information for your local embassy or consulate.

Emergency Preparedness:

• If you have dependents, including children who may be in a different immigration status from you, make emergency plans for how they will be cared for in the event that you are detained.
• If you have medications that you need to take, make plans for how you would show that you need that medication in the event of being detained. Make plans to have a friend or family member be able to help you get access to this medicine in the event you are detained. 
• Keep a copy of your important documents with a person you trust who will be able to provide those documents in the event of an emergency.

1. Seek legal counsel from an experienced immigration attorney AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.   
2. Consult with Student Assistance Services so they can assist you with keeping the University informed if you will no longer be able to remain a student. They can help you communicate with your professors, ResLife, etc. as needed. 
3. Inform ISSS about your situation. If you are calling outside of business hours, call 979-845-1824 and press 2 to be transferred to the ISSS emergency call center.