Supporting Our International Community: Immigration Law Workshop for UMass Boston Faculty and Staff April 21, 3-5 pm

4/14/2025

Dear Colleague,

As immigration policies continue to evolve under executive orders and federal agency directives, the Faculty Staff Union (FSU) at UMass Boston, in collaboration with the national law firm Offit Kurman, invites members of the UMass Boston community to a virtual immigration law workshop on Monday, April 21, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM via Zoom. Please note that this workshop is open to FSU/MTA/NEA members in good standing only (if you are not sure if you are an FSU/MTA/NEA member, contact the FSU).

This workshop is specifically designed to address the current concerns of visa holders, lawful permanent residents, recently naturalized citizens, and community members with family immigration needs.

Topics will include:

• Navigating Increased Scrutiny at U.S. Ports of Entry and During International Travel
• Understanding Social Media and Digital Device Searches by CBP and ICE
• Planning for Immigration Emergencies, Detention Risks, or Administrative Processing
• Legal Rights and Protections under Current Immigration Enforcement Policies
• Visa Maintenance and Status Compliance for F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN and other Visa Holders
• Pathways to Lawful Permanent Residency (Green Cards) and Naturalization

The legal and procedural landscape for international faculty, researchers, and staff remains uncertain, with policy changes impacting everything from travel and employment to academic collaboration and long-term immigration planning. Mohammad Ali Syed ("Mo"), a Washington, DC based immigration lawyer at Offit Kurman, will provide practical guidance and up-to-date legal insights, and will answer participants’ questions in a moderated Q&A session.

As part of this initiative, Offit Kurman is also offering a discounted consultation rate for FSU/MTA/NEA members for a limited time.

Please RSVP and submit questions in advance using this link: https://umassboston.zoom.us/meeting/register/7zz5LnooQa6lvah0Vc2O9w  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email Zoom link and access details.

Contact fsu@umb.edu with any questions.

Together, we aim to ensure that our international community is informed, supported, and empowered in this challenging environment.

Sincerely,

Sana Haroon

Professor, History Department

FSU Vice President    

International Faculty Caucus Representative