Editor’s Note: The ISSS Newsletter is distributed monthly. Between monthly newsletters, please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram to learn more about programs, events, and updates.
Contents:
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Next International Coffee Hour: Wednesday, April 2 at 3:00pm!
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Upcoming ISSS Programs
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Important Travel Reminders
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Address and Registration Requirements for International Students, Scholars, and Dependents
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Know Your Rights
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Income Tax Reminder - Deadline April 15
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Leadership Volunteers Needed for Fall 2025 International Student Orientation
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The Clock is Ticking on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application
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Extension of Stay
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Crossing Borders: Navigating the U.S. Health Care System
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Interstride’s International Student Career Summit
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20:1 Prevention Programs: Interpersonal Relationship Training for International Students
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Fleishman Center Warning about Fake Job Listings on LinkedIn
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OurBus Services from -Newark-JFK
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Alumni: Opt in to Keep your Email Account Active
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1. Next International Coffee Hour: Wednesday, April 2 at 3:00pm
Good company! Complimentary refreshments! Come relax at our , on Wednesday, April 2 from 3:00-4:30pm in the Old Champlain Atrium (Old Champlain, Room 133). April’s Coffee Hour sponsor is the Kaschak Institute for Social Justice for Women and Girls.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the sponsor while mingling with both international and domestic students. There will be games, interactive activities, crafts, and complimentary coffee and snacks!
If you have any questions about International Coffee Hour, contact Annie Smith (dsmith66@binghamton.edu), ISSS Programming Coordinator. All are welcome!
2. Upcoming ISSS Programs
Thursday, April 10 | 2:00-4:00pm | Old Champlain Atrium
Join the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives (IEGI) for the opportunity to decorate flowerpots and rocks and plant small flowers! Let's add a touch of nature to our spaces and create something beautiful together!
Participants will receive all necessary materials at the event, so come and bring some friends and celebrate the season of spring with flowers and creativity! Please note: The first 36 participants are guaranteed a flowerpot to decorate.
If you have any questions about this event, contact Annie Smith (dsmith66@binghamton.edu), ISSS Programming Coordinator. All are welcome!
Wednesday, April 16 | 2:00-3:00pm | BU Art Museum, Fine Arts Building
Join ISSS for a tour of the BU Art Museum! Participants will meet the tour guides outside the Museum (Fine Arts Building, Room 219) in the hallway promptly at 2:00pm.
If you have any questions about this event, contact Annie Smith (dsmith66@binghamton.edu), ISSS Programming Coordinator. All are welcome!
Tuesday, April 22 | 2:00-4:00pm | Old Champlain Atrium
Take photos around Campus while earning prizes!
All photos submitted virtually and prizes in person! ISSS staff will be handing out the photo prompts and prizes at the Old Champlain Atrium. ISSS will also pick some photos to feature on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
If you have any questions about this event, contact Annie Smith (dsmith66@binghamton.edu), ISSS Programming Coordinator. All are welcome!
3. Important Travel Reminders
The ISSS Office recommends that you use caution when planning travel outside the United States. Travel restrictions have the potential to affect your ability to return to the United States. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the U.S. for an indefinite amount of time.
If you choose to travel outside the United States:
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- Make sure that you have all of the required documents to return to the US, including a valid passport, a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, and an I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature. If the signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 will be more than 12 months old (6 months for students on OPT or STEM OPT) when you return to the US, you should visit the ISSS office for an updated signature before you leave or online. Review the detailed instructions on our Travel page for more information. Students who are on OPT or STEM OPT should review our OPT Travel page.
- Be aware of anything you have posted on social media or any public statements you have shared. The U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security have indicated that they are using AI to review information that international students and scholars have posted online, and this information may be used in decisions for visa issuance, entry to the U.S., and immigration enforcement.
- If your passport will be expiring soon, make sure that you start the renewal process as soon as possible. Your passport must always be valid at least 6 months into the future.
- If your F-1 or J-1 visa is expired, you should use extra caution when traveling. Be sure to schedule your visa appointment as far in advance as possible. Visa processing times can vary greatly between consulates, and you may be subject to administrative processing or other delays. You should be prepared for the possibility that you may be delayed outside the U.S. for an extended period of time or even indefinitely.
- Monitor emails from ISSS for any updates related to travel restrictions. It is possible that new travel restrictions could be enacted while you are outside the U.S. that would prevent you from returning.
If you choose to travel outside the United States, you should ensure that you have back-up plans in place in case you are delayed or are unable to return to the U.S. Please note that entry to the U.S. is always subject to the discretion of Customs and Border Protection, and ISSS cannot guarantee re-entry. If you face difficulty when entering the U.S., you or a CBP officer can contact ISSS during business hours at 607.777.2510. If you are re-entering the U.S. and face difficulty outside of business hours, you or a CBP officer can contact the University Police Department at 607.777.2393.
If you have questions regarding travel, we encourage you to visit the ISSS office or call (607.777.2510) during advising hours to speak with an ISSS Advisor. ISSS has advising hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00-11:45am and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3:30pm.
4. Address and Registration Requirements for International Students, Scholars, and Dependents
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has published a strengthened requirement related to address updates, registration requirements with the U.S. government, and the requirement for all adults to carry proof of their registration with the U.S. government. It is important that you review these requirements carefully and ensure that you take all appropriate steps:
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- All international students and scholars are required to report changes of address within 10 days of moving. Please visit the to check the address that ISSS has on file for you and to provide an update if needed. Note: if you live on campus, your address should be automatically updated in the university database. Students who live on campus should email isss@binghamton.edu if the form displays an incorrect address. International scholars should email ischolar@binghamton.edu with any address updates.
- All F-1 and J-1 students and scholars (and their dependents who are age 18 or older) must carry a printed copy of their I-94 at all times as documentation of your current status in the U.S. If you are planning to travel outside the area, we encourage you to also carry your printed I-20/DS-2019 and your passport with your F-1 or J-1 visa.
- The Department of Homeland Security has released a new registration requirement that anyone who entered the U.S. prior to their 14th birthday must "re-register" with USCIS within 30 days of turning 14. This applies to anyone in F-1 or J-1 status as well as dependents in F-2 or J-2 status. This requirement is scheduled to go into effect on April 11, 2025. If you or your dependents entered the U.S. prior to turning 14, it is essential that you review the information on . That page provides step-by-step instructions on how to create an account and submit a registration form beginning April 11, 2025.
Individuals who entered the U.S. in F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 status at age 14 or older and who have a valid I-94 record are considered to have registered with the U.S. government. If you are not able to retrieve your , you should contact ISSS immediately. If you are not sure if you have met the registration requirement, you should .
Note: Several organizations have filed a lawsuit challenging this rule. While it is too early to know the outcome of this lawsuit, the new regulation does not go into effect until April 11, 2025, so individuals who need to re-register themselves or their children can wait until that date to begin the process. ISSS will send another update to the listserv if there are changes to the registration requirement as a result of this lawsuit. Please note that the ISSS is providing these updates for informational purposes only and this information does not constitute legal advice. If you have specific questions about your situation or a dependent's situation, we advise you to discuss your case with an experienced immigration attorney.
5. Know Your Rights
ISSS wants to ensure that all international students and scholars know their rights in the U.S. We encourage you to review the resources on the ISSS Know Your Rights page. This page includes information on what to do if you are contacted by federal agents in public or at your home, as well as what to expect when you are entering the U.S. You can also visit the ISSS office to pick up a Know Your Rights red card.
If you have an emergency encounter with ICE or CBP during business hours, please contact the ISSS at 607.777.2510. If you are experiencing an immigration emergency outside of business hours, contact UPD at 607.777.2393.
6. 2024 Income Tax Reminder - Deadline April 15
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- If you were in the U.S. in F or J status at any point in 2024, you are required to file a U.S. tax document, even if you had no income.
- The deadline for filing federal and New York state taxes is Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
To complete your tax forms using Sprintax:
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- Access Sprintax through the portal. Log in and select Sprintax from the Available Links list.
- Create an account, or log in using your existing Sprintax account if you have used Sprintax in previous years.
- Complete the online questionnaire.
- Enter the unique code from the April 1st Newsletter Email in the box on the ‘Review your order’ page. This will ensure you are not charged a fee for your Federal Tax Return.
- Sprintax will prepare your tax return.
Once you complete the preparation process in the Sprintax software, you must follow the Sprintax instructions to submit your tax forms to the IRS. If you have any questions, the Sprintax team offers 24/7 live chat support.
Sprintax 2025 General Tax Webinars
Sprintax offers webinars that explain explain the process by which nonresidents file taxes in the U.S. Be sure to register in advance using the links below:
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- Thursday, April 3, 1:00pm EDT –
- Thursday, April 10, 2:00pm EDT –
- Monday, April 14, 11:00am EDT –
For more information, see a detailed ISSS News Announcement that was sent on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Where can I find additional information?
7. Leadership Volunteers Needed for Fall 2025 International Student Orientation
The ISSS is currently recruiting Leadership Volunteers for the Fall 2025 International Student Orientation! All international and domestic students are welcome! Leadership Volunteers are a select group of current students who join ISSS staff to welcome new international students during Fall International Student Orientation.
The Fall 2025 International Student Orientation is a two-day orientation on Tuesday, August 12 and Wednesday, August 13. Leadership Volunteer Training will likely take place Monday, August 11.
During Orientation, Leadership Volunteers greet new international students at check-in, welcome them during the introductory meeting, participate in group events, provide reassurance and essential information, and most importantly contribute to a warm and sincere presence for new international students during their first few days on campus. Many new students tell the ISSS how important the Leadership Volunteers were to their initial experience at . Many Leadership Volunteers tell the ISSS how valuable the training was to their own professional and personal development.
If you would like to volunteer, please by Monday, June 2, 2025 at 8:00am. If you have any questions please contact ISSS Programming Coordinator, Annie Smith (dsmith66@binghamton.edu).
8. The Clock is Ticking on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application
F-1 students who will be graduating in May 2025 and plan to apply for Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), are reminded to submit their application to the ISSS office as soon as possible. It can take 7-10 business days for the ISSS office to process a new OPT I-20. After an I-20 is created, an OPT application must then be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and then it can take 3-5 months to receive your EAD card. USCIS must receive an OPT application no later than sixty days after the degree conferral date, which is May 18, 2025. Click here for additional information regarding the OPT application requirements. If you have any questions contact us at intlwork@binghamton.edu.
9. Extension of Stay
If your I-20 or DS-2019 is ending this semester but you will need additional time to complete your degree, you must apply for an extension before your I-20 or DS-2019 will expire. You can review the requirements for an I-20 or DS-2019 extension on the ISSS website. If you have questions about the extension process, you should speak with an ISSS advisor during advising hours or email intlext@binghamton.edu.
10. Crossing Borders: Navigating the U.S. Health Care System
Wednesday, April 09 | 12:00-2:00pm | University Union (Room 111)
Are you having difficulty navigating the U.S. healthcare system? Come learn how to utilize your health insurance, connect with on- and off-campus healthcare providers, and examine cultural considerations when accessing health services. This event is organized by B-Healthy: Healthy Campus Initiative. Lunch will be provided. Please through B-Engaged.
11. Interstride’s International Student Career Summit
Join Interstride’s International Student Career Summit on April 10 from 12 to 6 PM. This is a virtual and free event. Students and alumni need to to attend the event.
Join career experts and employers on April 10th for a dynamic, half-day virtual event designed to empower international student careers in the US and beyond. Explore career tips, job search techniques, visa pathways, work authorizations, industry trends, and more.
What topics will be covered:
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- Visa pathways and work authorization options
- Employability and skills development
- Industry trends and job market insights
- Networking and building professional connections
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How to register:
If you are a student at an Interstride partner school, you must use your university email address to register for ISCS. You will see a “Free Admission” ticket option pop up once you complete this step.
You can get more details about the event .
12. 20:1 Prevention Programs: Interpersonal Relationship Training for International Students
The 20:1 Prevention Program is running two workshops on interpersonal relationships for international students.
Thursday, April 17 | 3:00pm-4:00pm | University Union (Room 325)
Wednesday, April 30 | 3:00pm-4:00pm | Old Champlain Atrium
Come learn about healthy interpersonal relationships as you navigate a new environment and culture. These interactive programs focus on body autonomy, affirmative consent, healthy communication, and bystander intervention. Food and refreshments will be provided.
If you have any questions, please contact 20:1 Programs at 20to1@binghamton.edu.
13. Fleishman Center Warning about Fake Job Listings on LinkedIn
The Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development warns students to be cautious about potential fake job listings.
Get more information .
14. OurBus Services from -Newark-JFK
Moving out? Need to catch a flight from Newark or JFK airport back home? OurBus has opened bus lines from to Newark and JFK airports that are running from May 7-27. Check out the bus schedule !
15. Alumni: Opt in to Keep your Email Account Active
If you have recently graduated from , you will need to opt in to keep your email account active. You can opt in by logging in through . For more details about keeping access to your email address, Google Drive, and other accounts, view the Alumni Association Email FAQ.
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