BREAKING: Some student visas/ records revoked, CMU impact unclear
Editor's note: this story was updated as of 9:07 p.m. April 4.
WCMU Public Radio and CM Life Reporter Blace Carpenter contributed to this report.
In an email sent out to the university Friday afternoon, President Neil MacKinnon notified the Central Michigan University community that CMU staff found that several current and former international student records have been terminated without notice by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
This was discovered while CMU staff performed a routine review of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). MacKinnon said in the email that the university and students were not notified of the status change.
Executive Director of University Communications Ari Harris said that the number of CMU students impacted can't be shared yet.
"The Office of International Student and Scholar Services is running the records every day and they will reach out to any student whose record is changed," Harris said. "So you know if you don't hear from us, it's a good thing."
If a student is affected, she said the University will encourage them to talk with an immigration attorney to understand their options.
"This news is alarming and may be especially difficult for our international students, faculty and staff, who are valuable, important members of our community," MacKinnon wrote.
But what happens when SEVIS records are removed? Harris said having a record terminated would affect the student's ability to remain in the United States.
"Well, the SEVIS record is what allows the student to be in the United States to study," she said. "And so when a SEVIS record is changed or terminated, the student needs to either leave the country or they'll have to reapply for readmittance, and both of those steps are things that are at the purview of the US government.
"CMU does not have the authority or the ability to reverse the government's decision to terminate a student's visa status. So it's really important for those students to work with an immigration attorney who can help them understand what their options are and to provide them with clear legal counsel."
Cases like this have been happening nationwide, with St. Cloud State University in Minnesota experiencing a similar situation the same day.
International Student Organization President Alina Joesph said this scares her and other students.
"As an international student, we really depend on SEVIS," Joseph said. "SEVIS is what makes us legal citizens to study in the U.S ... Students don't even know that it's been revoked. That is really scary. I'm kind of scared."
In the email, MacKinnon linked multiple internal and external sources for international students to use, such as:
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
- CMU's Counseling Center
- Office of International Students and Scholar Services
According to the Executive Director of the Immigration Law & Justice Michigan Julie Powers, there is a waitlist for a number of law firms in Michigan. She said that it varies case by case but it could take a while before someone can get legal help.
"It can be months, up to years, and these students don't have that kind of time," Powers said. "Most of the immigration law firms in Michigan are pretty much at capacity."
MacKinnon said in the email that there currently have been no reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on CMU's campus. In the event that you do encounter an ICE agent, CMU has a guide available online with directions for handling the interaction.
"To our international students, faculty, and staff: You are welcome here, and we are glad to have you as members of our community," he wrote. "In uncertain times, we rely on our friends, colleagues, and neighbors to help us weather challenges. Thank you in advance for offering compassion and kindness to our students and to each other as we navigate these changes."
Harris said she understands how this could be scary for students.
"I think the most important thing that I would want our international students to know is that we're here for them and to please connect with us if they have questions or concerns," she said.
This is a developing story. Please check in with cm-life.com with more information as it becomes available.
