Temporary Pause on SSNs being issued with I-765 (OPT) Employment Applications
Published: 5/12/2025
As of March 2025, the US Social Security Administration has frozen the automatic mailing of Social Security cards for students who apply for OPT. Students now need to make an appointment at their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and apply in-person for their Social Security Number (SSN) and card. If you already have a SSN, you may disregard this message.
How to obtain your SSN:
- You must first receive your OPT EAD (Employment Authorization Document) to be eligible to apply for a SSN.
- Once you receive your EAD card, you may make an appointment with the Social Security Administration (SSA) up to 30 days before the start date on your EAD card. If the start date has already passed, you can apply for the SSN immediately.
- If you have a job offer and an approved OPT EAD, you may begin working once you have applied for your Social Security Number (SSN). You do not need to wait until you receive the physical SSN card to start your job. To begin working, you must provide your employer’s HR department with your valid EAD, your updated I-20 with OPT employment information, and the receipt from the SSA confirming that you have applied for an SSN.
- After you apply, your SSN will usually arrive by mail within 10 to 15 business days.
Preparing for your SSA Appointment:
- Read the document
- Click here to
- If eligible, after completing the application, you may be able to schedule an appointment online instead of calling to schedule an appointment.
- Before you visit the SSA, (choose Adult/Original Card/Non-Citizen)
After your SSA appointment:
- You may start working after the start date on the EAD and if you have a job offer. You should provide a receipt of your SSN application to your employer.
- Once you receive your SSN card in the mail, please take it to your employer’s HR department and inform ISGSS.
Contact ISGSS@lewisu.edu with any questions.
New 2025 Immigration Registration Requirement for F-2 Dependents over Age 14
Published: 5/9/2025
As of April 2025, there is an important new immigration rule that affects young people who turn 14 while staying in the United States:
- If a child turns 14 years old while in the U.S., they must register again within 30 days of their 14th birthday; the USCIS page states that those who must register include: "Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday." This applies to F-2, J-2, and H-4 dependents even if they were properly registered when they first entered the country under age 14.
If you have a minor child who is 14+ or will soon turn 14, please go to the page, and click the blue box “Do I need to register?” to determine if you need to register your child. We strongly recommend consulting with an immigration attorney if you have any questions about this process.
Please contact ISGSS@lewisu.edu if you have any questions. We can also provide you with a list of local immigration attorneys.
Travel Guidance
Published: 5/2/2025
Dear Lewis Flyers,
As the 2024-25 academic year is coming to a close and summer break is approaching, the 海角社区 Office of International Affairs has updated guidance and advice regarding travel for the 海角社区 international community.
Due to the increased risks involved with re-entering into the United States, we are advising members of the Lewis international community to avoid international travel unless essential. If international travel is unavoidable, and you have questions or concerns about your upcoming travel, please contact the ISGSS Office or call 815-836-5118. You may also want to consult with an immigration attorney, particularly if you are a citizen of one of the countries for travel restrictions, or if you will need to obtain a new visa to return to the United States. You will also need an updated travel signature on your I-20. Reports in March 2025 indicated that the federal administration is considering a broader travel ban on 43 countries. As of May 2, no travel bans or restrictions have been officially implemented, but an official announcement could be released at any time – potentially with immediate effect. This means that if a member of the Lewis international community is outside the U.S. at the time that a travel restriction upon their nationality is announced, that individual may not be able to re-enter the U.S.
We continue to encourage caution with respect to international travel for individuals in a non-immigrant visa category, including F-1 and J-1 visas. A valid visa does not guarantee entry to the U.S. due to the wide discretion granted to Customs & Border Protections officers at ports of entry. Immigration officers are exercising strict entry procedures as part of the “maximum vetting” policy of the current administration, and an increasing number of travelers are being referred to “secondary inspection” where they may face additional questions and device searches.
ISGSS has provided additional travel guidance, recommended documentation, and secondary screening information via email and in our “Important Reminders” module of the Blackboard Extended Orientation/ Resource page for international students. We encourage students to review all of that information and to contact ISGSS@lewisu.edu if you have questions or difficulty locating that page. Additionally, please review the immigrant student resource page here, and click to review your rights as an international student in the United States. If you must travel, carry the card with you and contact us ASAP if you encounter any issues.
Summer on-campus housing at Lewis is available to all Lewis students, and any international student may apply by completing the Summer Housing Application on their MyLewis page under the Residence Life tab. Applications are open until May 10; after that, students must call the Office of Residence Life to apply for summer housing. The cost for summer housing is $2500 for the 16-week summer session, which includes a mandatory $100 meal plan. Students who have questions or would like additional information on summer housing can contact the Office of Residence Life at 815-836-5581 or Reslife@lewis.edu.
Lewis also offers many summer classes beginning May 19, and students staying on campus or locally may enroll in one or more summer class.
We recognize this message may generate questions, and we will answer those to the best of our ability. We are asking international students to share their questions and their summer plans in this .
