Questions and Answers

IMMIGRATION

	Can a B-2 (visitor) take classes at the IELP? Not full time, unless the visitor has told the authorities when s/he arrived in the U.S. that that’s what they wanted to do AND this has been written on the passport. A B-2 may take only part time (one class).
	How does a student fall “out-of-status”? A student falls “out-of-status” when he/she does not attend classes regularly, takes a break from school when it is not legal to do so, does not report a change of address within 10 days of that change, works off campus, works on campus more than 20 hours/week, or stays away from school because of illness or accident without the knowledge and approval from the Designated School Official (the Assistant Director).
	If I’m out of status, what does that mean? If you are out of status, you are illegally in the United States. You must apply for reinstatement, and ask whether you are allowed to continue as a student. You must be sure not to make a mistake again, however, because it is far more difficult to get reinstated more than once.
	If I’m out of status, will the IELP help me to get back my F-1 status? YES. Ask for a “Reinstatement Instructions” form at the front desk and follow all the directions. When you bring in everything that’s required, you will be given an appointment to see the Assistant Director, who will sign your forms and help you send the package to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will then have to wait until the USCIS informs you of their decision. The IELP cannot rush them and cannot change the decision they make. If you receive a denial, please come to the IELP office to speak with the Assistant Director; DO NOT IGNORE THIS LETTER FROM THE USCIS! The worst result of this denial is deportation (which means that you are sent out of the country and may not return – EVER). The office will advise you what to do.
	If someone is in B-1, B-2 status and his/her status is about to expire, can the IELP help to get the status extended? NO, but as long as it is not prohibited by the BCIS on the I-94, the IELP can help the person prepare the documents to request a change of status to F-1 (full time student).
	If someone is in J or H status and his/her status is about to expire, can the IELP help to get the status extended? NO. The student must go back to the institution that prepared and signed the original documents.
	Can an IELP student get a letter to prove his/her student attendance? YES. Just fill out the form at the front desk. You will be notified when your letter is ready. It will take about a week to process your request.
	What does a student who has immigration status that is other than F-1 need to enroll in the IELP? The person must submit his/her valid immigration documents for photocopying.
	Can a student on a legal break from studying transfer to another school? NO. A legal break is granted only to those who say that they are returning to the IELP.
	How does a student transfer? A student requests a transfer form from the school he/she wishes to attend. This must be submitted to the IELP. When the form is completed, the office will fax it to your new school for you. The process will take about a week. You may call your new school after this amount of time to confirm that they received the document. If you are out of status, you cannot transfer.
	When can I take a vacation and for how long? You may take a 7 week break ONLY AFTER you have studied the equivalent of an academic year (approximately 28 weeks). This, however, is subject to change at any time.
	If a student has just recently been reinstated to F-1 status, does he/she have to do another 28 weeks of full-time study before he/she can take a legal break? YES. Any break in valid status puts a student back to the beginning in terms of course time.

IF YOU CANNOT FIND THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS, LEGAL BREAKS AND TRANSFERS ON OUR WEBSITE OR IN THE HANDOUT FOUND IN THE OFFICE (ASK A STUDENT WORKER FOR A COPY), PLEASE SPEAK TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OR THE SECRETARY WITH ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS. DO NOT ASK YOUR TEACHERS OR RELY ON WHAT YOUR FRIENDS AND/OR RELATIVES HAVE TOLD YOU; IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS CHANGE VERY OFTEN AND THESE PEOPLE WILL NOT KNOW ABOUT ANY NEW RULING.