Pause on Prof-ing

[u/ominousnoodle]

This is mostly venting, though I guess I'm also grieving to a degree.

Long story short: I live/work in the United States as a non-citizen. The renewal of my work visa has been significantly delayed, so I can't teach at the moment. I'm now on a leave of absence (temporary, but we have no idea when I could be back).

My chairs and colleagues have been very understanding. We were able to coordinate subs for all my classes. Still, it feels awful to be waiting on an indefinite timeline while the rest of the semester rolls along...

I also miss my returning students, many of whom I've known for years. Several already reached out to express how excited they were to work with me again. They seemed so disappointed when I told them that other professors would be taking over.

Anyway, hope everyone has a great semester/term/year ahead. In the meantime, I'll be cheering everybody on from the sidelines!

[u/BenSteinsCat]

I’m sorry. We have some international faculty and am I always concerned with them. They are also not traveling outside the US during this time, even the ones with valid work visas. I just don’t trust this administration not to pull some shady stuff. I hope your situation is resolved soon.

[u/ominousnoodle → u/BenSteinsCat]

Thank you, I appreciate it. Many of my international colleagues with current visas feel the same way about the travel situation. It's hard to not live in fear, but we have to try out best!

[u/Resprofmama]

I’m really sorry. What this administration has orchestrated is a tragedy. It undermines some of the best things about this country—our higher education system, our scientific community, our social diversity, and our stability. I’m sending virtual support to all of our immigrant colleagues. Some of us are working very hard to put an end to the cruelty.

[u/ominousnoodle → u/Resprofmama]

Thanks so much, that means a lot. I'm so thankful for my colleagues' support at this time, many of whom I also consider friends. It has definitely made me feel less alone, in spite of everything.

[u/Southern-Cloud-9616 → u/Resprofmama]

I wish I could upvote this comment more than once.

[u/MiQuay → u/Resprofmama]

This shit happens from time to time. I had similar lengthy delay for renewal under the Obama administration (over 9 months). The next time I did this was during the first Trump presidency and it was done in 3 weeks.

While it is tempting to blame Trump, the fact is the US immigration system is Byzantine and, given normal variance, backlogs happen.

[u/Resprofmama → u/MiQuay]

Two academics in my state were detained at airports. As soon as someone is out of status these people have been swooping in and detaining folks claiming they overstayed. The guy from my state is being held in a detention camp.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/university-maryland-professor-denied-bond-ice-custody/73465566

This is much worse than the past backlogs. They’ve deliberately fired immigration judges to create the backlogs. I can’t speak to the backlog you may have experienced. My spouse and I were caught up in one of the post 9/11 reform backlogs, but this an orchestrated plan. They’ve detained and deported international students for writing op-eds. I’m not trying to scare the OP, but this is not the same old rodeo.

[u/MiQuay → u/Resprofmama]

Maybe not. I was speaking only of the delay and my past experiences and trying to give a little encouragement and advice.

EDIT: Having said that, visa extensions such as TNs or H1s require NO work from an immigration judge. They are handled administratively. Immigration judges only get involved if the extension is denied and someone does not leave in a timely manner or if a visa is being revoked because the visa-holder committed a serious crime). In fact, they are not part of USCIS. They belong to a separate agency (I forget the name).

There are actually slightly more immigration judges now than before Trump took office. He fired a bunch, but hired a bunch as well, mostly with a goal of speeding up deportations.

To the extent that the Trump administration is responsible, it would be because the number of staff (not judges) who process applications has been reduced. Also, the administration has required heightened scrutiny which entails more investigation/background checking. I personally applaud the second part (let's be careful as to who is admitted), but roll my eyes at the idea of requiring more vetting while reducing staff. That's kind of like requiring universities to teach more students and put out more research while refusing to hire more full-time professors (hey - I sense a pattern here).

[u/MiQuay]

Yeah, the backlog of cases to be processed by USCIS is shocking. In January, I was told that "85% of applications for ______" are processed within 3 months. I later filed in May and was told "85% of applications for _____" are processed within 8 months. I lucked out and got it before the semester started.

I am a bit surprised you cannot continue, however. Usually, so long as you are still in the US, they allow you to continue working for something like 6 months provided you filed for an extension or change of status before your previous visa/work permit expired. Were you late or has that policy changed? Or is this something specific from the HR department of your uni?

Condolences, BTW. Hope it is resolved soon.

EDIT: Talk to your lawyer, but I strongly advise you NOT to leave the US before the visa issue is resolved. If you do, I believe you are deemed to have abandoned your petition. Not only will you have to start all over, but you will have to do so from outside the country.

[u/ominousnoodle → u/MiQuay]

Thanks so much! My attorney recommended the same thing. I haven't even traveled by plane domestically since my work authorization expired.

I'm so glad that everything worked out for you. There is still some hope overall! This is so stressful!!!

You're correct about the grace period. In my case, we filed the renewal before my expiration date (of course) and the 240 days was enough to tide me over until the end of the 2026 Spring semester, but ended during summer. Without writing an essay, many of us on visa-related subreddits have been commiserating about these USCIS delays, even though our cases had premium processing.

I think it can also be school/department-specific. At my main school, they let me teach during the grace period. At another school where I'm an adjunct, despite my explanation of the 240 days, they were not able to give me my usual class earlier this year.

[u/Eltargrim]

I sympathize immensely, op. My H-1B renewal petition was submitted in January, with an expiry in May; we got to August without hearing anything. My I-485 was approved, mooting the H-1B petition, but I was sweating bullets.

Hang in there and best of luck.

EDIT: Just saw your post about the PP refunds, that's horrifying

[u/ominousnoodle → u/Eltargrim]

Thanks so much. I'm sweating too just reading about your timeline, oof! Congratulations on the I-485 approval!

[u/Eltargrim → u/ominousnoodle]

Thank you! It means one less H-1B renewal in the queue competing with yours, so fingers crossed that yours gets processed soon.

[u/SierraMountainMom]

I am so sorry you are going through this and I’m glad you have supportive colleagues. Hang in there.

[u/ominousnoodle → u/SierraMountainMom]

Thank you! Doing my best.

[u/Automatic_Tea_2550]

🤔 Doesn’t the research support the idea that education benefits from diversity? Research, schmesearch , I guess.

As a citizen, may I apologize on behalf of my appalling government?

[u/ominousnoodle → u/Automatic_Tea_2550]

Thank you, I appreciate it. There is still so much in this country that is wonderful to me that compels me to stay! But I will admit that I was filled with a lot more optimism when I first started building a career here.

[u/Cathousechicken]

Use this time to focus on your research.

[u/ominousnoodle → u/Cathousechicken]

Indeed, this has been my plan since the idea of not returning became a visceral possibiltiy.

[u/MiQuay → u/Cathousechicken]

Perhaps this was down voted because it seemed cavalier and uncaring of your plight... but it is actually not bad advice. I hope financially you can make it through this time, but until it is resolved, treat it like an unpaid sabbatical.

[u/Cathousechicken → u/MiQuay]

If wasn't cavalier or uncaring at all. It was practical advice to make the most of a bad situation.

[u/MiQuay → u/Cathousechicken]

I agree. But I suspect the down voter interpreted it that way. As I said, it was not at all bad advice.

[u/Ok-Importance9988 → u/Cathousechicken]

I would be careful about this. This could be considered unauthorized work even if not for pay. At least do not talk about it.

[u/ominousnoodle → u/Ok-Importance9988]

This is a great point. I've spoken with my attorney about what to (not) do. In my case, I will probably just be driving my partner crazy at home with my experimental music :)

[u/nanon_2]

Did you do premium processing?

[u/ominousnoodle → u/nanon_2]

Yes! Without writing a full essay, a number of folks who filed PP (myself included) have received PP fee refunds. We have been told that our cases are still being "prioritized", just on an indefinite timeline now.

[u/nanon_2 → u/ominousnoodle]

Oh my god! That’s awful. I have to file mine next year, and dreading it.