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Cornell University

Immigration Advice and Resources

Cornell offers many resources to support our international community. On this page, you'll find answers, advice, and allies for your immigration-related concerns, including campus resources for internationals, immigration emergency aid, and more.

Immigration Resources

Updated April 10, 2025

Cornell supports and stands by its immigrant and international community. Leadership and staff are working diligently to understand the changing federal landscape and how that impacts Cornell and universities around the nation.

Update: Visas and SEVIS Record Checks

The International Services team is conducting frequent SEVIS database checks to identify members of the Cornell community affected by visa revocations. We will email you directly if there's cause for concern. Read more about SEVIS record checks and explore the FAQ (NetID required).

Immigration Policy Updates: What Cornell’s International Community Should Know

On March 24, a panel of Cornell legal and immigration experts provided guidance and answered questions on recent and anticipated U.S. immigration policy changes. Topics included potential travel restrictions, alien registration, visa challenges, and available university resources. A video of the session and the corresponding slides can be accessed on the Cornell Executive Order Information website (NetID required).

Free Consultation with Immigration Attorneys

(March 2025) To help support its community members, Cornell has engaged Miller Mayer immigration attorneys to provide free consultations for Cornell students, faculty, and staff who wish to discuss immigration-related issues.

Local Legal Resources

(Feb. 2025) Cornell cannot provide personal legal advice, but we recognize that community members may have legal concerns related to immigration and other matters. Visit a list of local legal resources that offer support. 

Information on Executive Orders

(Jan. 2025) Please visit Cornell's Information on Executive Orders website for guidance and resources on how new executive orders, federal agency directives, and policy announcements may impact our missions of research, teaching, public engagement, and supporting our diverse community. The site will be updated regularly.

Monthly Immigration Update

Excerpted from the International Services Newsletter | Updated April 7, 2025

Visa Revocation Emails

Members of our international community may be aware of news reports of international students at colleges and universities around the U.S. receiving emails that their visas have been revoked.

We are actively monitoring the situation. If you receive an email or phone call saying your visa has been revoked, please forward immediately to International Services at international@cornell.edu. For Cornell Tech students, please forward to studentaffairs@tech.cornell.edu.

We urge all international students and scholars to forward any communication you receive from the State Department, ICE, or anyone saying they represent the government. We encourage you to regularly check the International Services website for alerts. The informative March 24 “Immigration Policy Updates” webinar and slides can be found on the Executive Orders site.

Don’t Fall for It: How to Avoid Scams

Remain on guard against scammers who may try to take advantage of this time of heightened uncertainty for the international community to demand money or personal information. Find out how you can protect yourself.

Scams can take many forms, and international students may be particularly targeted. Scammers often pose as police or government agents. They may contact you using what looks like a Cornell email or even hack an official Cornell email address.

Don’t reply to emails, and hang up and block contact if you receive a text or phone call from anyone threatening to arrest you or asking to collect fines or bail. The scammer will most likely move on. If you are concerned, visit the Cornell Police in Barton Hall or the Cornell Tech Safety & Security Desk in Bloomberg Center.

CPT and Internships​​​​​​

Looking for an internship? It is important to plan in advance of your anticipated start date, because the authorization process takes time! Start by checking out our page on F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to see if you are eligible for off-campus work authorization.

Remember: All off-campus employment must be approved on your I-20 before you begin employment. If you’re on the Ithaca campus, work with International Services. Cornell Tech students should seek authorization from Cornell Tech’s Student & Academic Affairs office.

Transferring from Cornell

Leaving Cornell and need to transfer your SEVIS record? Please follow the Transfer from Cornell information on our website to request your transfer to another U.S. university or program. If you are approved to transfer from the Ithaca campus to the Cornell Tech campus, follow the procedures you receive from Cornell Tech’s Student & Academic Affairs office.

Traveling Internationally

Thinking about traveling outside the U.S. this summer? Be sure to carry the documents you’ll need to reenter the U.S. Start by consulting the March 18 travel guidance, then review Travel Documents for Students or Travel Documents for Scholars.

If you are on OPT or have applied for OPT, please read Travel on OPT before making travel plans. If you are an F-1 student or a J-1 Exchange Visitor, you may request a PDF copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 with a new travel signature in myStatus.
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Stopped at the border? Call Cornell’s 24/7 partner International SOS. If you are arrested or detained by a federal officer, or if you have experienced a serious accident or injury, please call International SOS (+1 215 942-8478) and reference Cornell's membership number: 11BSCA827281. International SOS will immediately notify Cornell. Do not call 911 for immigration-related emergencies!

International Services Student FAQ

Find more answers to questions about student travel, visa status, employment rules, and more.

Support at Cornell

International Services

Cornell’s Office of Global Learning International Services is here to help students and scholars from around the world thrive at Cornell. Talk with International Services staff about general immigration information, including visas and jobs, finding your niche in Ithaca, campus resources, and more. Get advice from International Services.

Emergency Assistance

If you are a current student, faculty, or staff member experiencing an immigration-related emergency, find out how to get the help you need at any hour on International Services' Stopped at the Border page.

Diversity and Inclusion

Belonging at Cornell provides diversity, equity, and inclusion resources, including anti-racism resources, resources to combat Antisemitism and Islamophobia, and other biases due to religion to the university community.

Resources for undocumented and DACA student support can be found on the Student and Campus Life website.

Learn about how the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs advocates for Cornell's international community.

Guidance and Counseling

  • Part of Cornell Health, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) includes the Let’s Talk program. Talk confidentially with a trained healthcare professional and find support for stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, adjustment challenges, relationship difficulties, questions about identity, managing an existing mental health condition, or other issues. Call CAPS at +1-607-255-5155 to speak with a staff member.
  • Cornell's Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives offers general advising on personal and academic support, as well as planning for academic and professional aims and referrals for undocumented students as part of the Trailblazers program.
  • Cornell's Office of Graduate Student Life serves the Cornell community in many capacities: discussing student concerns, providing available resources and services, and sharing options for handling difficult academic and personal situations. Contact Janna Lamey to identify appropriate resources.
  • The staff in the Dean of Students office is available for support, advice, and guidance in navigating various circumstances. Contact the office by email or call +1-607-255-1115.
  • Cornell's Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers free, confidential guidance and support to benefits-eligible employees and their partners to address issues that may be affecting their personal lives and job satisfaction or performance. This resource is part of Cornell's broad commitment to foster and support the mental health and well-being of the campus community.

Housing in Ithaca

  • If you're an international student concerned that visa issues will limit your ability to travel to your home abroad during university breaks, on-campus housing may be an option. Send an email in confidence to find out more.
  • International Services provides general housing information on its website. Visit Your First Week and Student Resources.

Support from Off-Campus