A number of immigration law firms are reporting that the Trump Administration is preparing an executive order to be released in the coming days/weeks that could have serious negative consequences for visa holders (possibly including H-1B, J-1, F-1/OPT, L-1 and others). Specifically, the order may include restrictions on entry into the U.S. If you are currently outside the country and have a non-immigrant visa, experts are recommending that you enter the U.S. as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or need some peer advice or support, please reachout to columbiapostdocunion@gmail.com.
SPEAK OUT AGAINST TRUMP ATTACK ON RIGHTS OF INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS
In conjunction with other UAW academic workers, we are also using our collective union voice in advocacy efforts to push back against these discriminatory and xenophobic policies. Please follow this link to find a template letter that you can send easily to representatives to protect critical visa programs. In a previous executive proclamation, President Trump directed the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Homeland Security to “review nonimmigrant programs” and consider significantly weakening the Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT), the J-1 exchange visitor program, and the H-1 specialty worker program. This would threaten the ability of International students and scholars to continue to contribute to the instruction and research missions of Universities across the country.
Please take a moment to add your voice. And our advocacy is working— a number of our California Representatives recently joined in this letter in support of OPT scholars.
In solidarity,
CPW-UAW Bargaining Committee