The UW 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 ISO at acadvisa@uw.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:
- The death, disappearance, or serious injury or illness of the exchange visitor
- Incidents involving the criminal justice system
- Sexually-related incidents or abuse
- Serious behavioral problems or mental health concerns surrounding the exchange visitor
- Incidents involving child protective services
- Fraud (e.g., visa, immigration, or financial fraud or scam)
- 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)
- Potential or actual negative press involving the sponsor’s exchange visitor program
- Incidents where a foreign government has become involved
- Lost or stolen immigration documents
- Theft of intellectual property
- Violation of export controls (that is, export of sensitive technology or information)
- Other situations impacting exchange visitor safety