The Davis International Center (Davis IC), Princeton’s center for international students and scholars, advised non-U.S. citizens at Princeton to carry their I-94 forms and “exercise caution” with regards to international travel, in an email sent on Friday. The email also warned students to “be mindful that electronic devices are subject to search when entering the US,” including social media activity.
The I-94 form, also known as an Arrival-Departure Record Card, is a form used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to track the arrival and departure of non-citizens, and it contains proof of legal entry and allowed stay time. The document is given to all holders of sponsored visas, but not green card holders.
The advice comes the same day as new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidance, which reflects a Jan. 20 executive order from President Donald Trump requiring all non-citizens 14 years or older to register their status with the government. According to USCIS, “Once an alien has registered and appeared for fingerprinting (unless waived), DHS will issue evidence of registration, which aliens over the age of 18 must carry and keep in their personal possession at all times.”
According to the email from the Davis IC, “it appears that students and scholars [on nonimmigrant visas] should already be considered ‘registered’ by virtue of admission to the U.S. and issuance of an I-94,” but the details of the registration process currently remain unclear.
“We are reviewing the new registration process, and we hope that the government will clarify the details in the coming weeks,” the email reads.
It is also unknown at this time if or how the registration requirement will affect green card holders.
This message is the first piece of concrete advice sent to all international members of the University community at Princeton, and comes as the Trump administration takes a hardline against immigration that has caused much fear and uncertainty on college campuses nationwide.
Earlier this week, a French scientist was detained upon entry to the U.S. after messages critical of the administration were found in his phone. Additionally, Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University and green-card holder, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to being considered a threat to national security for his role in Columbia’s pro-Palestine protests. At Cornell, a student from Gambia was asked by ICE to turn himself in for leading pro-Palestine protests.
On a global scale, countries are updating their travel advisories to reflect changes in U.S. policy. Following the detention of several German nationals, German authorities updated its travel advisory to the United States. The United Kingdom has also revised its travel guidance in the past several weeks for any travelers planning to visit the U.S.
In January, as other schools advised students to return before Trump’s inauguration, the Davis IC issued no such warning. Davis IC Director Albert Rivera did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The email ended with notice of virtual attorney sessions, open to all, that the Davis IC is hosting on March 26. “Attorney Session: An Update on U.S. Immigration Issues” will be held at 12:30 p.m., and “Immigration Do’s and Don’ts & How to Prepare” at 8 p.m.
This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Christopher Bao is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from Princeton, N.J. and typically covers town politics and life.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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