Students, faculty and staff:
The world’s brightest minds have long come to teach, study and research at the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine. These individuals bring exceptional knowledge to our classrooms and laboratories, add a global perspective to our campus and enrich our community in countless ways. Our commitment to them – and to all members of our community – remains unwavering.
The university has 7,704 enrolled international students and an additional 2,497 recent international graduates who have remained in the country legally for professional training and experience. We stepped up our support for them and our entire international community through frequent email updates, online webinars and one-on-one advising. Last month, we began hearing reports of student visas being terminated at other universities and we immediately increased our review of the government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks the status of student visas.
The federal government retains broad authority to terminate SEVIS records and revoke visas; in either case no notice is given to the university. Late last week, staff from our International Center reviewing SEVIS records discovered the Department of Homeland Security had terminated visas for 11 individuals affiliated with U-M, including four enrolled students and seven graduates. Since then, the number of affected individuals has increased to 22, including 12 enrolled students and 10 graduates. The federal government has not shared details on the specific reasons for these visa revocations or SEVIS record terminations. Please know the university has not provided lists or other identifying information to federal immigration or law-enforcement authorities relating to these students and graduates.
The International Center has reached out to affected individuals who, upon SEVIS termination, are required to leave the country immediately. We are working closely with offices, colleges and schools from across the university, to ensure the impacted individuals understand their options and have access to resources. At this time, we are not aware of any federal law enforcement activity on campus related to these terminations.
We understand the anxiety and alarm these events have caused and we are working to better understand how these government actions might impact our community going forward. Individuals who are on visas can continue to find resources on the website of the International Center. The federal actions page on the Key Issues website continues to be updated regularly and the FAQ includes information on immigration issues. Below, we are listing some of the most common questions we are hearing, along with answers and links to resources.
In challenging times like this, we call on each of you to show each other compassion, recognize the value each of us brings to our community and draw strength from one another as we work to live up to our values and move forward together.
Sincerely,
Santa J. Ono
President
Laurie K. McCauley
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Martino Harmon
Vice President for Student Life
Timothy G. Lynch
Vice President and General Counsel
FAQ
Q: Can I travel internationally if I am on a visa?
If you are considering travelling internationally, you should be aware that the Department of State and the Customs and Border Protection unit of the Department of Homeland Security have increased the level of review international visitors face at U.S. embassies and consulates, at airports, and border crossing posts. If you plan to travel outside the U.S., you should carefully consider and fully understand important immigration and security regulations to ensure that you can leave and re-enter the U.S. More info at https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/travel-outside-us-reentry.
Q: Are individuals who have their visas revoked required to leave the country?
A: Yes. Visa termination by the Department of Homeland Security means an individual no longer holds valid F-1 status. The termination does not carry a grace period and individuals will be advised to exit the country immediately.
Q: Are federal immigration enforcement officials allowed on campus?
UM’s campus is largely open to the public and, as such, law enforcement officers may enter public areas without a warrant. Areas that are locked, monitored or require a university-issued ID card, however, generally require law enforcement officers to have a judicial warrant or subpoena in order to obtain access. This includes private areas of university residence halls, including hallways, living and sleeping quarters and common and meeting areas. It also includes other spaces with concerns for privacy, safety and operational needs, including, but not limited to, administrative or faculty offices, locker rooms, classrooms and laboratories.
Q: What should I do if I see immigration enforcement authorities on campus?
- Do Not Interfere:
- Do not obstruct the actions of law enforcement officers.
- Notify the University:
- Contact the Division of Public Safety and Security (Having the following numbers saved in your phone is good practice)
- 734-763-1131, Ann Arbor
- 313-593-5333, Dearborn
- 810-762-3333, Flint
- As always, in an emergency, call 911.
- Contact the Division of Public Safety and Security (Having the following numbers saved in your phone is good practice)
- You have the right to document the interaction. However, you should maintain a safe distance. You may not resist or otherwise interfere with the actions of law enforcement.
Q: What should I do if I am presented with a subpoena, an arrest warrant or a search warrant?
- Do not accept a subpoena on behalf of another person or on behalf of a university office, even if you are employed by that office.
- If you are presented with an arrest or search warrant, ask the agent or officer to please wait patiently so that you may contact university authorities to review the warrant and provide assistance.
- Then, contact the Office of the General Counsel at 734-764-0304 or DPSS at the appropriate number above. It is good practice to save these numbers into your phone.
Q: What should I do if federal immigration enforcement officials proceed with an enforcement action without listening to requests to wait?
- Do Not Interfere:
- Do not obstruct the actions of law enforcement officers.
- Notify the University:
- Contact the Division of Public Safety and Security (Having the following numbers saved in your phone is good practice)
- 734-763-1131, Ann Arbor
- 313-593-5333, Dearborn
- 810-762-3333, Flint
- As always, in an emergency, call 911.
- Contact the Division of Public Safety and Security (Having the following numbers saved in your phone is good practice)
- You have the right to document the interaction. However, you should maintain a safe distance. You may not resist or otherwise interfere with the actions of law enforcement.
Q: What should I do if federal immigration enforcement officials attempt to take me into custody?
- For your own safety, do not resist arrest.
- You have protected legal rights that you may invoke, the most important of which are your right to remain silent and to request legal counsel.
- You should never lie about your immigration status, as that carries serious penalties.
- Do not sign anything or make any decisions without an attorney, and never sign a document without reading it, understanding it and knowing the consequences.
- You have the right to a phone call, which should be made to a trusted friend, family member or attorney.
- It is advisable to have important phone numbers memorized.
Q: I am in the U.S. as an F-1 student or J-1 student or scholar. Are there basic steps I should take, such as making sure I carry identification?
If you are in the U.S. as an F-1 student or J-1 student or scholar, here are a few important points to remember.
- REPORT CHANGES OF ADDRESS: If you move, be sure to report your change of address within 10 days of moving.
- CARRY YOUR I-94 RECORD: By law, foreign nationals 18 years and older are required to carry proof of their immigration status (“registration”) with them. Your Most Recent I-94 serves as this registration. Consider saving a screenshot of your Most Recent I-94 (not your travel history) on your phone for ease of use. If you would prefer not to provide access to your phone, you may carry printed copies of your immigration documents.
These two requirements may not seem important, but the penalties for not complying with them can be severe, under long-standing laws. The university’s International Center also recommends saving a screenshot of your current I-20 or DS-2019 to your phone so that you will always have it available. You may also want to save a screenshot of your passport ID page as well.
- Given the possibility of increased scrutiny due to recent Trump administration executive orders, the International Center strongly recommends that you review and follow the guidance in the “WHAT YOU CAN DO” section of the Important Message from the International Center. Please also review the Update from the International Center.
- It is still the case, as of April 9, that no travel restrictions (travel bans) are currently in effect although the current administration has set up a 60-day review process to identify countries that may be subject to a later travel ban.
Q: How will I know if my visa has been revoked?
If your visa is revoked, you will receive a notification from the Department of State or the U.S. embassy or consulate where you applied for your visa. The notification may go to the email address you provided when you applied for your visa. This notice is only going to the student. The International Center is not receiving this information.
Q: What should I do if I receive a Visa Revocation Letter?
Please contact the International Center to inform them immediately so an advisor can provide guidance and recommendations. If your visa has been revoked, it is very important to consult an International Center advisor without delay.
Q: How will I know if my SEVIS record has been terminated?
If your SEVIS record is terminated, you will be notified by the International Center. The International Center is reviewing SEVIS records every day to identify any SEVIS records that have been terminated by the Department of Homeland Security so that we can reach out to any impacted students right away.
Q: What should I do if the International Center notifies me that my SEVIS record has been terminated?
If you receive this notification, please be sure to engage with the International Center immediately so an advisor can help you decide on next steps. If your SEVIS record has been terminated, you no longer have F-1 status so it is very important to consult an International Center advisor without delay.
Q: Is there any way for me to check my SEVIS record myself?
As mentioned, the International Center is checking for SEVIS terminations on a continual basis and informing those who are impacted. If you have not heard from us, there is no reason for concern. However, if you want to verify your valid SEVIS status, you can log into M-Passport and check your SEVIS status. If your SEVIS Status is Active or Initial, then your SEVIS record is valid. Please note the information in M-Passport only updates once each business day.
Q: What kind of support is available to students if they want legal counsel?
Students can contact Student Legal Services (734-763-9920) to connect with an outside immigration attorney for a free meeting and consultation.
Q: I am a student, faculty or staff member and I have questions. Where can I go for help?
International students and scholars whose immigration and visa documents are sponsored by the university can contact the following offices.
International Center – Ann Arbor (734-764-9310)
Office of International Affairs – Dearborn (313-583-6600)
International Student Services – Flint (810-762-0867)
International employees can contact Faculty and Staff Immigrations Services (734-763-4081).
If you are an Ann Arbor student with general questions, you can contact the Dean of Students Office (734-764-7420).
For those looking for an outside resource, the National Immigration Law Center is one of the leading advocacy organizations in the U.S. dedicated to advancing and defending the rights and opportunities of immigrants and their loved ones.
Additional information can be found on the International Center website, the federal updates section of the Key Issues website and the associated FAQ.
