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J1 Incident Reports

OISS is required to report any “serious incident or controversy” involving a J-1 exchange visitor to the U.S. Department of State within one business day of learning about the incident. If you learn of any incident involving a J-1 exchange visitor that fits into the categories below or might otherwise qualify, you must email OISS at intoff@northwestern.edu right away. This will ensure that we meet our reporting obligations.

The Department of State defines a “serious incident or controversy” as “any situation that have or could endanger the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor or otherwise could be expected to bring the Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program, or the sponsor’s exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute.”

Examples of qualifying incidents include, but are not limited to:

  • Actual or Potential Negative Press (i.e., incident expected to bring DOS, the sponsor, or the Exchange Visitor Program into notoriety or disrepute)
  • Death of an Exchange Visitor
  • Exchange Visitor Missing, Absconder, or Overstay (i.e., whereabouts unknown or intentionally left the program without notifying sponsor)
  • Fraud (e.g., visa, immigration, or financial fraud or scam)
  • Foreign Government Involvement (including Foreign Embassy or Consulate Involvement)
    Incident Involving the Criminal Justice System (e.g., arrest, charges, incarceration, detention, or other law enforcement involvement)
  • Incidents Involving Child Protective Services
  • Litigation (Lawsuits) or Other Legal Actions (related to the Exchange Visitor Program, in which a sponsor, site of activity, or an exchange visitor may be a named party)
  • Lost or Stolen Immigration Documents (e.g., lost or stolen passport/visa or stolen Form DS-2019)
  • Port of Entry Issues (e.g., applicant found inadmissible resulting in withdrawal of application for admission, expedited removal, or Notice to Appear)
  • Proscribed Antisemitic Actions (e.g., physical actions directed towards Jewish individuals and/or their property, community institutions, or religious facilities that violates the law or university rules)
  • Public Security Incident or Natural Disasters Directly Involving Exchange Visitor Safety (e.g., bombing, shooting, other acts of violence, civil unrest, fire, tornado, flood, or hurricane)
  • Serious Behavioral Problems (e.g., substance abuse, bullying, or harassment)
  • Serious Medical Issues (e.g., cancer diagnosis, surgery, or any condition requiring hospitalization of 48 hours or more)
  • Serious Mental Health Concerns (e.g., suicidal ideation or attempt, eating disorder, self-harm, psychiatric hold and/or hospitalization, or early program end due to mental health)
  • Serious Violations of University Conduct Rules: (e.g., participation in a building occupation, participation in an unauthorized encampment, disrupting classes, intimidation, harassment, assault)
  • Sexually-Related Incident or Abuse (e.g., incident or allegation involving sexual exploitation, harassment, assault, or misconduct)
  • Terrorist Activity, Endorsing or Espousing Terrorism: (e.g., engaging in terrorist activity; membership in a terrorist organization; endorsing or espousing terrorist activity)
  • Theft of Intellectual Property or Violations of Import/Export Controls
  • Unsuitable Host/Work Conditions (e.g., incident or allegation involving workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment, or work hours and/or wage-related issues)
  • Lawsuits or Formal Complaints by an Exchange Visitor Against the Sponsor Alleging Unlawful Affirmative Action (e.g., alleged discrimination in the selection or hiring of exchange visitors based on an unlawful Affirmative Action policy)
  • Lawsuits or Formal Complaints by an Exchange Visitor Against the Sponsor Alleging Unlawful DEI Policies (e.g., alleged unlawful discrimination against exchange visitors due to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies)

The above are not exhaustive and there may be other instances that may impact the safety and well-being of an exchange visitor. More information regarding this can be found on the US Department of State website here.