Beginning on April 11, 2025, all non-U.S. citizens are required by Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, if required, provide their fingerprints. Regulations specify that this registration is accomplished via Form I-94 for nonimmigrants (temporary visa holders) and Form I-551 (the Permanent Resident Card or “green card”) for immigrants. The majority of international students and scholars at Brown University have already been issued documentation that meets the registration requirements through the process of applying for a visa abroad at a U.S. consulate or embassy. Permanent residents also completed the process when acquiring their green card. USCIS details documents that verify registration (in the "How to Determine if You are Already Registered" section). 

Also, all individuals 18 years or older must carry and have in their possession evidence of their registration at all times.  For most of our students and scholars, this means that you must carry a printed copy of your I-94 record with you at all times. Other non-U.S. citizens can carry their Employment Authorization Document (EAD). 

In addition to the registration and fingerprinting requirements, and along with the requirement that noncitizens over the age of 18 years old must carry proof of registration at all times, this is a reminder that all non-citizens must report a change of address within 10 days.  Failure to comply with the change of address requirement can also result in criminal and civil penalties. Please note that DHS has signaled that this rule will now be enforced in a much stricter fashion than it has in the past.

In short, who needs to register includes:

• Any noncitizen, regardless of previous registration, who turns 14 years old in the United States, must update their registration and be fingerprinted within 30 days after their 14th birthday.
• Nonimmigrants, such as F-2, H-4, or J-2 children of nonimmigrants, who obtained their nonimmigrant visa or last entered the United States under age 14 are required to register by creating an account on the myUSCIS website and filing Form G-325R. Parents of children are responsible for ensuring their children’s fingerprinting.
• Green card holders who obtained their green cards under age 14 are required to register by filing Form I-90, to replace their green cards, and be fingerprinted, upon reaching age 14. They should file Form I-90 instead of Form G-325R.
• All non-US citizens who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a visa to enter the United States and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer. This includes Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration must now register if they intend to remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer; however, fingerprinting will continue to be waived for Canadian visitors.

To complete the Registration for yourself or a child, you will need to create an account on the myUSCIS website and submit Form G-325R (Biographic Information – Registration).  Individuals who register under this requirement will receive a "certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card" and must "at all times carry and have it in their personal possession." Registered individuals must notify DHS in writing of any changes of address.

For more complete instructions and information, please refer to the USCIS webpage for the Alien Registration Requirement.

Any community member who receives a request for information addressed to the University pertaining to citizenship status or other information about a Brown community member, or for a campus site visit from a government regulatory or investigative agency, must notify the Office of General Counsel (OGC) immediately at (401) 863-3122. The OGC will determine whether the request or visit is legally valid, coordinate the University’s response, and notify appropriate senior officers. Refer all representatives of regulatory authorities or the government (including attorneys) in these instances to the OGC. If a contact from a government agency occurs after hours, call the Administrator-on-Call (AOC) at 401-863-3322 and AOC will notify the OGC.

If someone attempts to hand-deliver an official legal document to you that is addressed to the University, you should inform the individual that you do not have authority to accept service of the document on behalf of the University, and that the document should be taken instead to the OGC, which will determine whether it can be accepted by the University. The OGC is located in South Street Landing at 350 Eddy Street and can be reached at (401) 863-3122.

Whenever official legal documents addressed to the University come into your possession other than hand delivery, you should forward them immediately to the OGC, as they typically have short deadlines to respond. Examples include subpoenas requiring the University to produce copies of records in court proceedings and summonses notifying the University that a lawsuit has been commenced against the institution.

If someone serves you a personal summons, subpoena or other legal notice, you may reach out to an attorney or pursue other legal resources for assistance. For a list of immigration-related resources, email (oisss@brown.edu).

Brown will only share information with law enforcement regarding the immigration status of community members under a valid subpoena. DPS does not inquire about or act on information related to immigration status, and does not partner with federal or state agencies to do so.

Both judicial and administrative warrants are legal orders that authorize searches and seizures, but they differ significantly in their purpose, the level of proof required, and the issuing authority. 

A judicial warrant is an official court order signed by a federal judge or magistrate that authorizes a search of private property, seizure, or arrest based on probable cause that a crime is being committed or has been committed.

A judicial warrant will:

• Specify the specific address to be searched.
• Specify the time period in which the search must take place.
• Particularly describe the place or person, or both, to be searched and things to be seized.
• Be issued by a court and signed by a Judge or magistrate.

An administrative warrant is a document, issued by a federal agency such as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), purporting to document their authority to arrest a person suspected of violating immigration laws. These administrative documents are not signed by a neutral magistrate or judge but rather an immigration officer like an ICE agent or immigration judge.

Key Differences Between Judicial and Administrative Warrants

The below image is an example of a judicial search warrant issued by a U.S. District Court. This image was sourced from the following ACLU website: https://www.aclunc.org/our-work/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-immigration-enforcement-and-warrants

The below image is an example of an administrative warrant issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This image was sourced from the following ACLU website: https://www.aclunc.org/our-work/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-immigration-enforcement-and-warrants

Travel regulations and policies continue to evolve, both in the U.S. and internationally, which may cause travel disruptions and potentially impact or restrict U.S. border re-entry for some international students, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, scholars and staff as well as undocumented or DACA students. While the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) continues to monitor these developments closely, OGE wants to reiterate the guidance offered in the message that the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) sent to international students related to Winter Break travel. This includes the importance of proactive planning and preparation, anticipating travel delays and carrying required and important documentation, and potentially, deferring non-critical personal travel. 

All travelers are strongly encouraged to review Brown's Office of Information Technology (OIT) website for important information on security tips and possible restrictions involved with use of certain technology during international travel, in particular preparing your mobile device and preparing your laptop for travel. If you are traveling internationally as part of a university-related event, you are required to also register your travel with the Brown Travel Office. 

If you are a U.S. visa holder (F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, etc.), you must ensure that you have a valid passport and, if you are an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, a travel signature that has been issued within the last 12 months (or within the last six months if on OPT) of your anticipated return. For more information about international travel for visa holders, consult the OISSS website. Students (F-1 and J-1) who need a travel signature can request it through their OISSS Gateway portal as instructed on the "What to Bring When Traveling" webpage. Scholars should email OISSS@brown.edu to request a travel signature.

Please note that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires non-U.S. citizens (including minors) to carry proof of registration at all times. For international students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 status, a printed copy of your most recent Form I-94 is a valid form of registration; for other non-U.S. citizens, an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) is a valid form of registration, while lawful permanent residents are required  to have their green cards readily available.  

We also recommend that all U.S. visa holders (F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, etc.) carry printed, official copies of their proof of current student enrollment, faculty appointment letter which can be obtained from your respective division’s faculty personnel, or an employment confirmation letter from the University Human Resources when traveling away from the Providence area. 

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) provides additional guidance and recommendations for travel within the U.S.

If you are a U.S. visa holder (F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, etc.) and encounter issues at any U.S. port of entry, ask the individuals at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if they would be willing to speak with Brown’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS). During business hours (Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm EST), you can reach the OISSS front desk at (401) 863-2427. 

For all other Brown community members, including lawful permanent residents as well as individuals with DACA, TPS or other statuses, or if you are calling after business hours, please call Brown’s Administrator-on-Call at 401-863-3322. The AOC contact information - as well as other emergency contacts - are printed on the back of your Brown ID (the below image is an example of where you can find the contact phone number).

In addition, it may be advisable to create a personal list of emergency contacts and share it with a trusted person before traveling, who upon hearing from you in the event you encounter a challenge at a port of entry, could assist in reaching out to relevant contacts.

For specific information about travel based on your particular non-immigration status, contact OISSS (oisss@brown.edu). If you have specific questions about your university-related international travel plans, contact the Brown Travel Office. For non-travel questions, please refer to relevant resources in the “Help and Support for Brown Community Members” section below.