Semhar Okbazion

Immigration Specialist
International Student and Scholar Services

• As an Immigration Specialist in the International Student and Scholar Services office (ISSS), Semhar functions as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), advises both F-1 and J-1 international students as well as scholars, and responds to internal and external immigration related inquiries. Besides to immigration advising, Semhar advocates with NAFSA for immigration reform and promotion of international education and exchange. Previously, Semhar has worked with immigration law firms in DC and Virginia, as well as ISSS when she pursued her LL.M. in the Washington College of Law at American University. Semhar is originally from Eritrea and had once been an international student herself at AU.

• Degrees

  LL.B. (equivalent to a US JD), University of Asmara; LL.M. (Master of Laws), American University; Certificate in International Commercial Arbitration, American University, LL.M. in US Immigration Law (in progress).