Some Bahamians traveling to the United States to pursue academic studies have been violating U.S. visa policy, an act which American embassy officials say could prevent them from traveling to the United States indefinitely.
Students traveling to the United States are required to have a completed I-20 form in their possession, but many students have been traveling to the U.S. on the B1/B2 tourism visa.
According to Scott Turner, Vice Consul at the U.S. Embassy here in Nassau, students can travel to the United States on a B1/B2 visa if they have an I-20 form with them on entry to the U.S.
They will, however, have to make a declaration to Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) officials on arrival at an American port.
While not giving any numbers, he indicated that many Bahamians are breaking the law.
“If you tell the people at INS on entry within 30 days ‘I am here to study’ you can readjust your status,” he said.
Mr. Turner also said that if students do not inform INS officials accordingly, they could become “out-of-status” if they are not doing what they say they are doing.
“You need to make sure that you are in F-1 status as a student,” he said.
American universities and colleges are required to electronically verify that foreign students have F-1 status and are in the school they claim to be in, but some schools have reportedly been lax in that regard which could make it difficult for foreign students, including Bahamians.
Students who have been studying on a tourism visa could face deportation and could face harsh penalties.
An individual who infringes immigration law could be put on a restricted or stop list to the United States for one year, multiple years or indefinitely depending, on the period of time they were in the U.S. out-of-status.
Mr. Turner stressed that U.S. officials do not want to discourage or prevent Bahamians from receiving an education in the United States , but there are laws in place to deal with people who break the law.
Students who work illegally in the United States are also subject to immigration control. First-year students are allowed to work on campus only.
After their first year, students wishing to gain employment off campus have to seek permission from the INS and cannot work for a period exceeding 20 hours a week.
The policy for the most part, according to Mr. Turner, has been in effect for many years, but there have been some additional visa requirements since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 .
“Since September 11, the United States has seen that we really do need to enforce all of the regulations on the books and unfortunately some of the terrorists had come in on visas issued and some were in flight schools,” Mr. Turner said.
One consequence of this is that males between the ages of 16 to 45 applying for any type of visa need to fill out an additional form.
All students also have to fill out an additional form.
These forms ask for a number of personal details, which may require verification by U.S. authorities.
Mr. Turner appealed to Bahamians to ensure that they have the appropriate visas for travel to the United States .
Mr. Turner opined that given the close relationship and history of travel arrangements between the United State and The Bahamas, some Bahamians might have become a bit relaxed in their travel to the U.S.
He suggested, however, that it would be most prudent to verify the requirements for travel to the United States with the U.S. embassy prior to their departure.
“Make sure you do have an F-1 student visa or if you are doing vocational studies an M1 visa … so you won’t get in trouble and end up limiting yourself and your opportunities in the United States for the rest of your life,” Mr. Turner said.
Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials said some Bahamians have experienced some difficulties regarding visa requirements, although they would not comment on the matter in detail.
The Bahama Journal
