The University of Southern California (USC) has urged faculty and staff in H-1B status to avoid international travel. “Out of an abundance of caution, all faculty and staff in H-1B status currently in the U.S. should put international travel plans on hold until they receive further guidance,” the statement says.
Aisling Kelliher, associate professor of cinematic arts at USC, said she was concerned about widespread confusion and anxiety resulting from new H-1B policies under the Trump administration, including a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications. “If you’re going to invest the time in uprooting yourself and moving to another country, perhaps it is going to be more attractive to [move] to … other countries that’re going to make it a little bit more attractive for people to consider that, long-term, they may be able to put down roots,” she noted.
