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February 5, 2020
Information about New Travel Restrictions
Dear International Community,
We would like to provide you with some important news relating to the international community.
"Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus"
Last week, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced a ban on foreign nationals traveling from China and quarantines for U.S. citizens coming from China. The restrictions follow the World Health Organization's announcement that the spread of the virus is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the U.S. State Department's Level 4 "do not travel" advisory for China. These travel restrictions are effective starting 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
How could this affect you? This restriction will affect anyone traveling from China. It is not clear at the moment how long this travel restriction will be in place, but we highly suggest that you consider how your travel plans (ie: Family Weekend, Spring Break) may be impacted this semester.
"Proclamation on Improving Enhanced Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry"
On January 31, the Trump administration expanded its travel ban to place visa and entry restrictions on travelers from six additional countries: Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania. The ban, which is an expansion of the Travel Ban 3.0 issued by the Trump administration on September 24, 2017, goes into effect on February 21, 2020.
How could this affect you? The expanded travel ban places restrictions on immigrants, but not on nonimmigrants. It will not impact acquisition of nonimmigrant visas like F-1, J-1, or tourist visas, nor should it impact admission to the United States under those categories. International students and scholars should presumably not be affected.
For more information and to stay updated:
NAFSA: Association of International Educators - Coronavirus Travel Ban Resources
NAFSA: Association of International Educators - Travel Ban Resources
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns, or for support.
Sincerely,
The International Place Staff
Events and Deadlines
THIS FRIDAY!
Employment Workshop:
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Friday, February 7th | 4 - 5:30 PM
Kravis LC 62 | CMC Campus
OPT work authorization allows recent international graduates to gain professional paid or unpaid work experience directly related to their major area of study for 12 months per academic level during or immediately following their academic program.
This workshop is open to all international students at CMC, KGI, PIT, POM, & SCR who will graduate in May 2020 and will cover:
- OPT eligibility and application requirements
- How to maintain F-1 status during OPT
- Options after OPT
Coffee & Company
Every Friday
3-5 PM @ International Place
Coffee & Company is a program designed to create a space for the international community of The Claremont Colleges to get together, socialize, and feel welcome. International Place strives to create an inclusive international community in Claremont, which means that we invite everyone at The Claremont Colleges to enjoy snacks, drinks, and music with us on Friday afternoons!
No RSVP necessary!
I-Place Event Request Form
Form is now open for requests!
International Place is available for student groups to meet and hold activities! Groups must reserve the space in advance, and requests are subject to I-Place program scheduling and space availability. If you would like to reserve the I-Place kitchen or lounge for a group activity, please review the event guidelines on our website.
Tax Support for International Students and Scholars
The deadline for filing taxes for the 2019 tax year is Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
International Place is providing a number of resources to support students this semester as they prepare to file taxes, listed below. Please refer to future newsletters and our official email announcement for the tax season next week.
Click here to view all tax resources for the semester as a downloadable PDF.
Sprintax Software Access
Access Request Form is now live
International Place provides access to Sprintax, a web-based tax filing preparation system for completing your U.S. federal and state taxes, providing easy-to-use tax preparation software along with extensive, searchable content to help you understand your tax obligations.
Access is available to current non-resident international students and scholars at Claremont McKenna College, Keck Graduate Institute, Pitzer College, Pomona College, and Scripps College, as well as alumni who graduated from those colleges in Spring 2019 or later (in the F, J, M, or Q immigration status).
Hosted by International Place
Sprintax Workshop
Wednesday, Feb. 19th | 12 – 1:30 PM
McKenna Auditorium | CMC Campus
This workshop is open to international students and scholars from all seven of the Claremont Colleges.
Sprintax staff will be on site to provide an in-person workshop on filing taxes and using Sprintax. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions at the end of the workshop.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
Saturday, February 29 &
Saturday, March 7
International Place will be providing transportation to the University of La Verne for VITA assistance with tax filing on February 29 & March 7. Departure time is approximately 9:00 AM (subject to change).
VITA is a good option for those who are considered residents for tax purposes and cannot use Sprintax. VITA’s IRS-certified volunteers can answer tax-related questions and review tax forms prepared by Sprintax before you mail them in to the IRS.
The local VITA program is hosted at the University of La Verne. The VITA program will be available for anyone to attend on their own on Saturdays, February 1 - April 4, from 9 AM - 3 PM. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Those interested in additional information on the VITA program or seeking to make an appointment can call 909-448-4028, or email VITA@laverne.edu.
Hosted by CGU & HMC
Sprintax Webinar
Monday, March 2 | 12 - 1:00 PM
Burkle 16 | CGU Campus
This webinar is open to international students and scholars from all seven of the Claremont Colleges.
Join in-person on the CGU campus, or from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/695091293
You can also dial in using your phone:
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122
Access Code: 695-091-293
California Franchise Tax Board Workshop
Thursday, March 12
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Burkle 14 | CGU Campus
Learn more about how to file your California tax forms.
Hosted by CGU International Services. This workshop is open to international students and scholars from all seven of the Claremont Colleges.
Immigration Information
Spring 2020 Graduation and OPT
If you are an F-1 student completing your academic program in May, now is the time to begin thinking about the OPT application process.
You can contact your International Student Advisor to inquire about the process. Students graduating in May 2020 can apply beginning in February.
On-Campus Employment
Are you considering working on-campus this semester? F-1 visa holding students are able to work on-campus (at any of The Claremont Colleges) without special authorization. J-1 visa holding students require only written authorization from their Responsible Officer (RO or ARO.) The maximum amount of hours you may work on campus is 20 per week.
For information on off-campus employment, please speak to your International Student Advisor.
Follow I-Place on Social Media!
We love to engage with our community online as well as in-person!
Community Corner
Queer Resource Center Open House
Friday, February 7th | 1 - 3 PM
Queer Resource Center | Pomona Campus
Join the Queer Resource Center for their Spring 2020 Open House! Meet the staff, tour the space, learn about our events and programs, and enjoy refreshments and giveaways.
Whether you're checking out the QRC for the first time, are a returning student looking to see what they have in store for the semester, or are a staff or faculty member interested in getting connected to the community, you are invited to the open house!
Chicano Latino Student Affairs
Spring Calendar
Various Dates and Locations
Check out the full list of programs being hosted by CLS this semester!
Black History Month
At The Claremont Colleges
Various Dates and Locations
Celebrating 50 years of ethnic studies and cultural centers at The Claremont Colleges: OBSA, CLSA, IDCLS and IDAS
Contact Information
Chrystal Orozco, Interim Director | corozco@cmc.edu
Jenna Bustamante, Program Coordinator |
jbustamante@cmc.edu
Erika Hongo, Administrative Assistant | ehongo@cmc.edu
International Place of The Claremont Colleges
390 E. 9th St., Claremont, CA 91711
iplace@cmc.edu | 909-607-4571
Facebook.com/InternationalPlace | @InternationalPlace
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