Resources for the USD International Community and Safety Abroad
USD follows all national, state and local laws, and is in alignment with the California Catholic Conference and their joint statement on immigration. Promoting social justice and the dignity of every person is fundamental to our identity as a Catholic university. We take seriously our responsibility to serve as an anchor institution and confront the challenges facing our world with compassion, justice, and love.
As President Harris noted in his December 2024 campus message, “In alignment with the statement from our Church leadership, we remain committed to and reaffirm our principles and Culture of Care that protects international students and scholars and immigrants who study and work on our campus. Over the years, many members of our community have worked diligently to develop programs and resources that support the needs of our community, living our mission and helping to ensure that all belong at USD.”
A number of resources are available to USD community members and included below. You can also reference the “Updates to Federal Policy and Protocols: What You Should Know” page on the USD News Center.
Visa Holders and International Students
International Students and Scholars
The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is committed to supporting the well-being, success, and compliance of our international students and scholars. Tips and recommendations are listed below.
Stay Informed
It is essential to regularly check both your USD email and your personal email for communications related to your immigration status.
Stay in Status: What You Must Know
International (visa-holding) students are responsible for maintaining their immigration status throughout their time at USD. Please visit the OISS website for seasonal reminders and important information relevant to F/J student visa holders. Below are key areas of compliance:
Compliance with U.S. Law
- All international students and scholars are expected to comply with local, state, and federal laws.
- All international students and scholars are expected to carry proof of legal status at all times.
Travel Advisory
OISS strongly advises avoiding/postponing international travel during the academic term. Unexpected delays and increased scrutiny at ports of entry may prevent a timely return.
If you must travel:
- Ensure all immigration documents are in order:
- Valid passport
- Valid visa
- Valid travel signature on I-20/DS-2019
- Remember: Admission to the U.S. is at the discretion of Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Note: F-1 and J-1 visa holders must be physically in the U.S. while classes are in session. Travel during official school breaks (summer/winter breaks) are generally permissible. If you have any unique concerns regarding your own travels during the official school break, you are welcome to contact OISS for further consultation.
Embassy Registration
We advise all international students and scholars to register with their home country’s embassy or consulate in the U.S. This will facilitate faster assistance in case of emergencies.
Before an issue arises, it’s helpful to:
- Understand what services your embassy provides
- Learn how to contact them or book appointments
Legal Resources in Emergencies
The USD Legal Aid Clinic is open to all members of the USD community in need of legal advising, particularly when it comes to immigration matters beyond the scope of OISS’ expertise, such as loss of status.U.S. Students Traveling Internationally
Register with the Smart Traveler Enrolment Program (STEP)
STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.
Pack all important documents in your carry-on luggage
Make copies of all important documents, such as passports, credit cards and visas, and be sure to carry all original documents in your carry-on luggage.
Stay informed
Make sure you regularly check your emails for important messages from the University of San Diego and your Study Abroad Manager while overseas.
If you are an international student or visa holder studying abroad, please refer to the Visa Holder and International Student section above for advice.
Faculty and Staff Traveling Internationally
Register your international travel with the International Center!
This includes driving or walking into Mexico on university business. Providing us with your travel information allows us to contact you if anything should arise that requires your attention. Additionally, we have your travel information in case we need to provide assistance to you in the event of an emergency. As part of your registration process, you can download your USD Travel Insurance Card.
Your travel can be registered at: https://www.sandiego.edu/international/faculty-and-staff/
If you are traveling with students, please email international@sandiego.edu with information about your trip and we will set up a template for your students to register.
Insurance
All USD faculty, staff and administrators, and students in registered programs are covered by our insurance policy. Please note that our policy does NOT cover travel in: Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan. These areas are considered “war zones” by our insurance company. If you must travel to one of these countries for USD related business, please contact Risk Management about obtaining supplemental coverage (Robin Eskow reskow@sandiego.edu). This must be done well in advance of your trip. Please note that this supplemental insurance for one of these “war zone” locations can cost over $10,000 for a one-week trip, and this cost is not covered by the International Center or Risk Management.
Customs and Border Protection
Immigration officials in the ports of entry in any country generally have more leeway to stop, search, and even deny entry of incoming travelers. Many are concerned about potential searches of their electronic devices. Please see the information assembled by the University of California system. This provides a good idea of your rights and limitations when entering or reentering the US: UC Electronic device information
Contact
If anything happens on your trip and you need assistance, please call USD Public Safety at (619) 260-2222 twenty four hours a day, and they will connect you with the on-call emergency contact in the International Center.
Know Your Rights - Immigration Resources
The University of San Diego prioritizes the safety and privacy of its students and employees. In the past, outside law enforcement agencies have come to campus for investigations under their jurisdiction. For any outside agency that comes to campus, it has always been USD’s protocol to direct officials to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) first to verify there is a legitimate, lawful request and then to respond as required under the law.
USD will not disclose student or employee information, including immigration status, except in response to a judicial warrant, subpoena, or other legal mandate or under exigent circumstances.
Resources are available through the USD School of Law’s Immigration Law Clinic and on the National Dialogue on Immigration page.
Campus Wellness Resources
We recognize that the fast pace of changes at the Federal level have caused significant stress and anxiety. USD community members are encouraged to utilize wellness resources as needed:
- The Counseling Center is available to students for confidential individual counseling and assessments through mywellness.sandiego.edu or by phone at (619) 260-4655.
- The Be Well USD website includes a list of resources, including round-the-clock health and wellness contacts like TimelyCare.
- University Ministry is available by contacting (619) 260-4735 or by visiting Founders Hall 20.
- The Employee Assistance Program can provide employees and their immediate family members with referrals to specific resources depending on individual needs.