Alcohol and Marijuana Offenses: Potential Impact on Immigration Status and Visa Eligibility for Students and Scholars

International students and scholars might reasonably assume that using marijuana where it’s legal in the United States would not impact their immigration status. They might also reasonably presume that simply being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, but not convicted, would not affect their visa eligibility. Reasonable but wrong.

Student and scholar advising is now vastly more complicated due to marijuana legalization and the Department of State’s new practice of revoking visas of those arrested for DUI. Well-informed advisers must help students and scholars understand the impact that alcohol and marijuana use or offenses might have on their immigration status and visa eligibility.

Join this live NAFSA e-Learning Seminar to learn from expert presenters, including an immigration attorney and two managers of international student offices.

The presenters will address how the variance of state and federal marijuana laws complicate the issue, and review information advisers can provide to students and scholars concerning the risks of marijuana purchase, use, and transport, even in jurisdictions where it is legal. The presenters will also explain what visa revocation means and explore the implications of DUI-related revocations, including the consular processes involved in future visa applications. The seminar will also provide the legal framework for understanding how criminal offenses, generally, may impact immigration status and visa eligibility.

Learning Outcomes

After attending this NAFSA e-Learning Seminar, participants will be able to:

• Analyze the impact of common offenses on immigration status and visa eligibility;
• Explain to students and scholars the implications of a DUI-related visa revocation;
• Help students and scholars recognize the variance in federal and state marijuana laws;
• Discuss with students and scholars the immigration-related risks of using marijuana;
• Determine when to refer students and scholars to attorneys; and
• Obtain resources for providing guidance to students and scholars.

The content will be relevant to those working in international student and scholar services.

Presenters

Elaine D. Kimbrell
Ware | Immigration

Elaine Kimbrell is the managing partner with immigration law firm Ware|Immigration in Metairie, Louisiana. Kimbrell graduated from The George Washington University in 2000, where she earned her BA in international affairs. She earned her juris doctor degree from Loyola University-New Orleans in 2005. Kimbrell previously served as a constituent services representative for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. In this capacity, she assisted constituents with their applications for federal benefits and specialized in immigration cases. She continued her federal service as Senator Landrieu’s projects assistant, focusing on federal funding opportunities for state and local communities.

Kelia Hubbard
Wake Forest University

Kelia Hubbard is the director of international student and scholar services at Wake Forest University with more than 14 years of experience working with international students and scholars and their families. The university’s International Student and Scholar Services Division serves all international students and scholars participating in programs at Wake Forest, as well as faculty and staff in the H-1B visa category.

Jenny J. Brydon
Rice University

Jenny Brydon is senior manager for international advising and programs at Rice University where she has worked for more than four years. Prior to Rice, Brydon worked in international student and scholar services as well as other areas of student affairs, including new student orientation, parent programs, and student activities. She has a strong passion for supporting students, and furthering the goals of international education.