Entry Ban on H-1B Employees
Dear Campus Community,
The information contained in our update is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.
Context
The H-1B visa program was created in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush to allow U.S. employers to hire highly skilled workers from outside of the United States to fulfill workforce needs in specialty occupations. UMBC employs nearly 90 research scientists, faculty, and staff through the H-1B visa program and the contributions of these highly skilled individuals contribute to the cutting-edge research and world-class education that we are able to provide.
On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a
proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, that requires employers to make payment of a $100,000 government fee per each individual H-1B employee seeking to enter the United States, unless an exception is granted. This proclamation became effective on September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EST and will last for 12 months, unless extended.
Key Provisions
Scope: The proclamation applies prospectively to new petitions of H-1B employees who are outside of the United States while the proclamation is in effect unless covered by an approved exception. The proclamation does not apply to any individual who is the beneficiary of petitions filed prior to the effective date of the proclamation, is the beneficiary of currently approved petitions, or is in possession of a validly issued H-1B non-immigrant visa.
- The White House released an FAQ document making the following clarifications:
- the proclamation does not apply to any previously issued H-1B visas, or any petitions submitted prior to 12:01 a.m. EST on September 21, 2025;
- the proclamation does not change any payments of fees required to be submitted in connection with any H-1B renewals;
- the fee is a one-time fee on submission of a new H-1B petition; and
- the proclamation does not prevent any holder of a current H-1B visa from traveling in and out of the United States.
Travel: According to The White House FAQ and agency memoranda, the proclamation does not impact the ability of current H-1B visa holders from traveling to or from the United States. The entry restriction only applies to new H-1B petitions for individuals who are outside of the United States.
Petition Processing: USCIS will restrict decisions on new H-1B petitions lacking evidence that the $100,000 payment was made in advance of filing the petition when the beneficiary is outside of the United States for as long as the proclamation is in effect, unless an exception is granted.
Visas: U.S. embassies and consulates will not approve issuance of H-1B visas without evidence that the $100,000 payment was made by the filing employer. It is also implied that individuals with approved H-1B petitions who have an employment start date beginning prior to October 1, 2026, will be restricted from obtaining B (business/tourism) visas.
Exceptions: The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to grant exceptions to this proclamation for specific individuals, all workers for specific employers and all workers in specific industries. At the time of writing this message, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not issued guidance on approved exceptions other than those previously mentioned.
Wages: The Secretary of Labor will initiate rulemaking to revise and raise wage levels for H-1B employees.
Guidance
Travel: H-1B employees planning to travel abroad are advised to consult with the Center for Global Engagement and carry a copy of the CBP
memorandum on their person when passing through a U.S. port of entry.
Staffing: Supervisors should be prepared for the possibility that new hires who are currently outside of the United States will be unable to obtain an H-1B visa or enter the United States unless they qualify for an exception from the proclamation or can provide documentation verifying that the $100,000 fee was paid. Please contact
Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management with any questions or concerns as it relates to hiring new employees.
Resources
UMBC’s Employee Assistance Program provides employees with access to free confidential counseling and connections to attorneys who can help with a variety of issues, including immigration concerns.
UMBC’s
Center for Global Engagement (CGE) will continue to monitor this situation very closely and remains a resource for H-1B employees. Please reach out to CGE if you have questions or plan to travel outside of the United States while the proclamation is in effect.
Some members of our UMBC community may understandably have questions or concerns. Please reach out to either of us for assistance.
Sincerely,
David L. Di Maria
Vice Provost for Global Engagement
Lynne Adams
Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
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Dear Campus Community, We are writing with an important update regarding President Trump’s proclamation on September 19, 2025, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers. The...
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Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:03:34 -0400
Supporting Religious Holidays and Observances
Dear UMBC Community,
As we strive to build a community rooted in inclusive excellence, it is important to note the various ways in which religious observance, holidays, and spiritual practice may impact the experiences and specific accommodation needs of members of the UMBC community.
The Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism, along with campus partners in the divisions of Student Affairs and Institutional Equity, are dedicated to sharing information and expanded resources related to daily and weekly religious observances, as well as special celebrations, holidays, and rituals, that help us all better support our campus community members in this vital aspect of belonging. Today, we would like to share some updates and resources we hope you will find helpful throughout your work:
- UMBC’s Faith-Based and Religious Accommodations Policy – We want to highlight UMBC’s Interim Policy on Faith-Based and Religious Accommodations, and specifically note the form created by the Office of Equity and Civil Rights that campus community members should use to request these accommodations. Please take special note of whom the completed form should be submitted to, since it varies based on the type and nature of the accommodation requested. Faculty members should work in consultation with the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, as needed, to determine if an accommodation should be granted.
- Weekly and Daily Observances – In addition to major religious and spiritual holidays, celebrations, and observances, campus community members often engage in daily and weekly practices that can significantly shape how they navigate campus. Daily practices (including individual and communal prayers, specific food accommodations, etc.) and weekly practices (including Shabbat or Jummah observance) serve as important touch points for students, staff, and faculty at UMBC. Please know that such observances often contain work restrictions, fasting, and other practices.
Many of these observances take place on campus in The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being in the Center for Well-Being, or with one of UMBC’s 29 undergraduate and graduate religious and belief student organizations. Additionally, many community members and religious and belief organizations are supported by members of the UMBC Religious Council (click on the Spiritual Resources tab), who are available to meet and provide religious and spiritual guidance.
- Upcoming Religious Holidays for the Fall 2025 Semester – By following this link, you will find a list of some religious holy days that may impact calendars during the fall 2025 academic semester. The holidays included are those that may have a significant impact on observant community members and could present a conflict with academic and work requirements. Please note that not all holidays will apply to all members of a particular religious or spiritual community.
Please keep this list in mind as you schedule programs, field trips, events, exams, or major projects, knowing that some members of our community may be fasting, limiting their work, or observing a holiday in other ways. Some religious observances may also require additional time for preparation or travel before and after the actual holy day(s).
Thank you in advance for making UMBC a campus that continues to celebrate and support religious and spiritual diversity. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Best wishes,
Matt Hoffman, MDiv, STM
Director, Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism
Joseph Vann-Jones, MDiv
Coordinator, The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being
Jasmine A. Lee, MSW, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President, Division of Institutional Equity
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Dear UMBC Community, As we strive to build a community rooted in inclusive excellence, it is important to note the various ways in which religious observance, holidays, and spiritual practice...
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Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:30:23 -0400
Recognizing the 2025 Alumni Award Winners
Dear Colleagues,
I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement as we prepare to recognize the extraordinary achievements of our community at the
2025 Alumni Awards. Here at UMBC, we embrace and celebrate inclusive excellence, and it's an honor to celebrate these individuals who embody the university’s mission.
The Alumni Awards recognize the impact of our community in five categories: Outstanding Alumni, Distinguished Service, Rising Star, Outstanding Faculty, and Outstanding Staff. Each honoree represents the very best of UMBC, carrying our values and our spirit with them as they make a difference in the world. Along with the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors, I invite you to join us in recognizing this incredible group of Retrievers whose professional and personal accomplishments truly inspire.
Our 2025 Alumni Awards Recipients
Outstanding Alumni
- Emily Brown ’14, M.S. ’14, computer science, Assistant Group Supervisor, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
- Erwin Cabrera ’10, biological sciences, Executive Director, The Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program
- Johnny Olszewski, Jr., Ph.D. ’17, public policy, U.S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives
- Cameron Slayden ’99, interdisciplinary studies, Co-Founder, CEO, and Creative Director, Microverse Studios
- Jacqueline Smith ’06, chemistry, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Howard University
Distinguished Service
- Mark Benesch ’08, chemical engineering, Capital Portfolio Director - Americas, AstraZeneca
Rising Star
- Courtney Culp ’20, visual arts, Print Designer, Warner Bros. Discovery
Outstanding Staff
- Michael Hunt ’06, mathematics, Ph.D. ’25, language, literacy, and culture, Director of the McNair Scholars Program
Outstanding Faculty
- Jamie Gurganus ’04, M.S. ’11, Ph.D. ’20, mechanical engineering, Associate Director of STEMed Research, Teaching Assistant Professor in Engineering and Computing Education
Mark your calendars for
Wednesday, October 29, at
6 p.m., and please consider joining us in the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena as we come together to celebrate these remarkable individuals. The event will be livestreamed for those unable to join in person. You can learn more at
alumni.umbc.edu/alumniawards.
I am looking forward to the celebration. Please join me in congratulating these awardees for their outstanding contributions to our UMBC community.
With Retriever pride,
Patrick Roche
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
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Dear Colleagues, I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement as we prepare to recognize the extraordinary achievements of our community at the 2025 Alumni Awards. Here at UMBC, we...
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Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:45:52 -0400
Welcoming New and Returning Students
Dear Colleagues,
August is one of my favorite times of the year! The campus comes alive with anticipation as we welcome our new and returning undergraduate and graduate students to campus. I want to share with you a welcome message that I sent to all students about how to get involved on campus, including information about our Welcome, Retrievers program (formerly Welcome Week) as well as resources to support their health and well-being.
With this in mind, I also invite you to participate in three key special events that will occur as part of
Welcome, Retrievers:
Retriever Fest: Saturday, August 23
Students and their families will be stopping by Erickson Field to connect with campus offices, departments, and off-campus partners from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join us at the family and hospitality tent, which includes campus resources, opportunities to meet staff and students, and have fun! There will be music, face painting, and tabling by the Family Advisory Board. We will also highlight athletics, student entrepreneurs, and more! Chartwells will host A Taste of UMBC, featuring delicious food options, and the Bookstore will be promoting new UMBC gear.
Community Cookout: Tuesday, August 26
Immediately following Convocation, we will gather as a community on the Quad to enjoy a delicious cookout as we head into the new academic year. Meet new students and catch up with fellow faculty and staff. Please bring your campus ID.
Gathering on the Green: A Community-Building Cookout: Saturday, September 13
This annual event is a wonderful way for the UMBC community to meet and connect with our Arbutus neighbors and our commuter students who will live in their community. The cookout, along with games and fun activities, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on the campus green space at the corner of Linden Avenue and Shelbourne Road.
If you are interested in volunteering to help with Welcome, Retrievers programming,
sign up for a time here. To sign up to volunteer during move-in days on August 23 and 25,
sign up here.
Please share the
UMBC events calendar with students, too, to encourage them to participate in all that UMBC has to offer throughout the year.
We want every student that steps onto our campus to know that we are ready for them. They will undoubtedly be looking for our help and our guidance as we welcome them to campus, so let’s make it easy for them to find us. I encourage you to wear your UMBC gear during the first week, look out for students who may be lost or in need of guidance, and show your excitement as we welcome students back to campus!
Finally, we know that as the academic year progresses, students may face a number of challenges, and I want to ensure that you are well-prepared with the available resources to support student’s health and well-being. If you find that students need health, wellness, or basic needs support,
Retriever Support Services and
Retriever Integrated Health are both important available resources.
With that, we are ready! Let’s get excited, get ready, and create a vibrant and supportive learning environment where all UMBC students can thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Thank you for your partnership and your energy. If you have any questions, please contact me at
studentaffairs@umbc.edu.
In partnership,
Renique Kersh
Vice President for Student Affairs
Message to undergraduate and graduate students:
Hello Retrievers!
The summer has been quiet around campus, and the Division of Student Affairs staff and I are so excited to welcome you to campus in just a few short days. We have been working with our campus partners to plan a host of fun and engaging events to celebrate the start of the semester and to help you get connected on campus!
As you prepare for the semester ahead, I want to be sure you are aware of several resources and opportunities:
Get involved! With over 200 student organizations on campus, you will have plenty of options. Be sure to drop by
Involvement Fest on September 3 to meet student organization leaders, learn more about how to get involved, and grab some goodies along the way. If you are looking for ways to actively participate during the year, be sure to bookmark
events.umbc.edu to stay up to date on programs and activities occurring across campus.
In addition to Involvement Fest, there are tons of events happening over the next several weeks as part of our
Welcome, Retrievers program. Check out our
Welcome, Retrievers myUMBC group to get up-to-date information. This is a great way to learn about resources and connect with other students—there is definitely something for everyone!
Stay healthy! We care about your health and well-being and want to ensure you are aware of the resources available to you. From massage therapy and acupuncture to health services and staying active in the
Retriever Activities Center, you will find plenty of ways to stay healthy over the course of the year. If you require basic needs support or if at any point during the semester you are struggling socially or emotionally,
Retriever Integrated Health offers counseling services that are free to you, and
Retriever Support Services provides a number of resources for emotional support and basic needs. It is okay to ask for help, so please take advantage of the many resources available to you throughout the year.
I’m looking forward to seeing you on campus, whether during Welcome, Retrievers events, at an athletic event, or just walking around in between classes! It’s going to be a great year! Go Dawgs!
Best,
Renique Kersh
Vice President for Student Affairs
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Dear Colleagues, August is one of my favorite times of the year! The campus comes alive with anticipation as we welcome our new and returning undergraduate and graduate students to campus. I...
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Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:14:14 -0400
Welcome to a new academic year
Dear Faculty,
Welcome to a new academic year! As we begin this journey together, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your continued dedication to inclusive excellence and student success. Whether you are returning to campus or joining us for the first time, your passion and expertise are the foundation of UMBC.
As faculty, you play a central role in supporting our students. This is particularly important while our students continue to face a complex mix of academic, personal, and societal challenges. Your engagement, empathy, and mentorship can have a profound impact. In addition to supporting our students, I urge you to be proactive in recognizing when they may need support and to refer them to appropriate campus resources when necessary.
While lifting up our students is critical, I also know we need to support you in the classroom. At UMBC, we are committed to assisting you on your professional journey and helping you thrive in the classroom. I encourage you to explore the resources available through the Faculty Development Center, which provides services and resources to aid you in teaching at UMBC.
I also want to remind you that starting this year, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is officially part of the holiday break. That means there will be one fewer Wednesday class session in the fall 2025 semester, something to keep in mind if you teach that day.
At UMBC, we are poised to transform higher education. This coming year we will do so in a variety of ways, but for now I want to highlight one in particular: Artificial Intelligence. AI is enabling universities to make transformational changes, and generative AI tools in particular are becoming increasingly integrated into academic work and student learning.
The faculty senate produced a report that surveyed faculty on the use of AI last semester. I have heard directly from that group, and have tapped Vice Provost Anupam Joshi, a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, to lead UMBC’s AI strategy. Anupam will head a taskforce this fall that will explore the use and integration of AI across university operations, including academics.
As that taskforce deliberates, we are moving forward. Based on the report from the Faculty Senate, we will support efforts spearheaded by Professor John Schumacher to deliver consistent, high quality faculty professional development experiences on generative AI. This will include direct instruction on using generative AI tools in teaching, and seminars with internal and external speakers who have expertise on this topic. We will also invite proposals from faculty to support graduate and undergraduate students as fellows to support their research in AI-related areas.
Additional news and details concerning this effort will be shared in the coming weeks and months.
I hope to see you at the campus events this month, including the Fall Opening Meeting on Thursday and Convocation on August 26. Following the Convocation ceremony, we will gather as a community for a cookout on The Quad. This is an opportunity to meet new students and catch up with colleagues. Please bring your campus ID.
Thank you for the work you do every day to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and prepare our students to go out in the world and make a meaningful difference and be the best version of themselves. I look forward to a rewarding and successful academic year ahead.
Warm regards,
Manfred H.M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
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Dear Faculty, Welcome to a new academic year! As we begin this journey together, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your continued dedication to inclusive excellence and student success....
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Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:22:06 -0400
Leadership Announcement
Jensen and Sotilleo Join Provost Leadership Team
Dear UMBC community,
I am excited to announce that Carlos Jensen and Sophia Sotilleo will join the provost leadership team this fall. Carlos will serve as vice provost for student success and dean for the division of undergraduate academic affairs, and Sophia will serve as vice provost and dean of the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery. Both Carlos and Sophia will join the UMBC community on August 1.
Carlos and Sophia fill out a provost leadership team that has been reimagined to meet UMBC’s unique needs in an evolving educational landscape. In his role, Carlos will oversee undergraduate academic programs and services while fostering an environment of inclusive excellence. Sophia will lead the library in its vital efforts to support the teaching and research needs of an R1 institution.
Carlos comes to UMBC from the University of California, San Diego where he has served the last five years as the associate vice chancellor for educational innovation. Sophia joins us from our USM sister institution, Bowie State University, where she has served as the dean of the Thurgood Marshall Library since 2022.
Sophia’s academic interests center on embedded librarianship, particularly its intersections with access, advocacy, and leadership in higher education. At Bowie State, she led transformative initiatives in digital access, research support, and campus-wide library engagement. Sophia served as previous chair of the Council of Library Deans and Directors for the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions, where she led efforts to improve system-wide digital access, research support, and inter-campus collaboration. She is a dedicated academic librarian and higher education leader with a career rooted in intellectual freedom, student-centered service, and inclusive access to information. Sophia brings a collaborative and visionary approach to librarianship, championing innovation, advocacy, and engagement across academic and community contexts.
While at UC San Diego, Carlos provided strategic leadership to advance education and innovation, including the implementation and improvement of curricular analytics to help departments close equity gaps and help all students progress toward their degrees. He oversaw instructional development for educators and comprehensive academic support for students and played a key leadership role in the academic affairs response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To each community member who participated in the two searches as well as the search committee members who put in countless hours throughout the process, thank you for your time and dedication to making sure we got this right. I want to give a special thanks to Peggy Re and Kimberly Moffitt for their leadership in chairing the search committees.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank Stephen Freeland for serving as interim dean and vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs and Richard Darga for serving as the interim dean of the library. Their steadfast leadership has been invaluable during this time of transition.
Please join me in welcoming Carlos and Sophia to UMBC.
Sincerely,
Manfred H.M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
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Dear UMBC community, I am excited to announce that Carlos Jensen and Sophia Sotilleo will join the provost leadership team this fall. Carlos will serve as vice provost for student success and...
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Carlos Jensen and Sophia Sotilleo
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