I have extensive experience in immigration advising, with particular focus on F-1 student visas and how their regulations apply to ESL students.
Training:
- Certificate: “F-1 advising for beginners” | NAFSA, 2008
- Certificate: “F-1 advising, Intermediate” | NAFSA, 2009
- On-the-job training
Experience
Advising and/or reporting experience in the following areas:
- Issuance and extension of I-20 Forms (including verification of documents)
- Reporting of no-shows and registration of active students; new student check-in
- Change of status
- Reinstatement
- Travel, vacation, leave of absence, medical leave of absence authorization
- Transfers into/out of institutions; mid-session transfers; transfers in initial status
- Work regulations
- Dismissals, probation, and termination
- Assisting applicants with determining the correct visa type for the program that they select
Administrative experience in the following areas:
- Determining appropriate visa type for new programs
- Adaptation of programs to ensure compliance with federal regulations
- Research on regulations and best practices in order to advocate for students or for the ELI
- Advising directors, administrators, and academic advisors about visa status-related consequences, ensuring that they are fully informed of the impact of their choices when determining the type of action to take in student cases
- Training of colleagues in visa regulations
- Selection and hiring of other DSOs
Additional experience in the following areas:
- Petitions for:
- Naturalization
- Adjustment of status to permanent residency
- Alien relative
- Renewal of permanent residency status
- Removal of conditions of permanent residency status
- K-1 “fiancé(e)” visa
- Employment authorization
- J-1 advising for non-degree-seeking students
- Basic knowledge of H1-B requirements
Resources
I have experience using the following types of resources for the creation of institutional policy, providing advising services to students, and establishment of practices:
- 8 CFR 214
- NAFSA Adviser’s Manual 360
- SEVP Field Representatives
- Study in the States and the SEVIS Help Hub
- SEVP Guidance
- Feedback from consular officers and SEVP representatives
- Sessions provided by NAFSA and EnglishUSA on SEVP “hot topics”