Event Schedule
AASP / APA Division 47 Joint Webinar - Athletes in Transition: Immigration, Identity, and Mental Health
July 9, 2025 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
In the evolving climate of immigration policy in the US and abroad, athletes across all levels—collegiate, professional, amateur, and youth and particularly those who hold citizenship outside of the US—face growing uncertainties that have the potential to impact their immigration status and ability to participate in sport. While international student-athletes on F-1 visas navigate restrictions on employment and monetization of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, similar tensions affect professional athletes on P-1 visas, youth athletes in elite training academies, and participants in cross-border or international competitions. Recent developments, such as National Labor Relations Board rulings suggesting student-athletes may qualify as employees and increased scrutiny by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding athlete visa classifications, have intensified the legal ambiguity these groups face. Shifts in federal policies including increased immigration enforcement—such as proposed visa restrictions for transgender athletes and the rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole—pose unique challenges for athletes from vulnerable populations.
To address these pressing concerns, the AASP and APA Division 47 are co-hosting a free, 90-minute webinar exploring the often-overlooked intersection of immigration policy and the athlete experience. This session will bring together leading experts in sport psychology and immigration law to examine how legal uncertainty and immigration policy changes affect athlete mental health, well-being, and performance. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how evolving immigration laws impact athletes and their sport communities and learn how to better support individuals navigating these complex issues.
Whether you're a sport psychology practitioner, researcher, coach, administrator, or allied helping professional, this webinar will equip you with critical insights and practical resources to support the well-being and performance of athletes affected by immigration challenges.
Speakers:
Jessica Bartley, PsyD, CMPC, LCSW
Senior Director of Psychological Services, USOPC
Rob Schinke, PhD
President, International Society of Sport Psychology
Travis Murphy
CEO of Jetr Global Sports + Entertainment
Learning Objectives:
- Provide an understanding about the impact of the changes related to immigration laws on athletes and those in the sport community,
- Better understand how we can offer support to athletes and others within the world of sport who may be directly faced with navigating these concerns,
- Provide resources that sport and performance professionals should be aware of to support this community.
