During a meeting on April 9, the college administration notified the Madison College District Board that a student’s visa had recently been revoked.
Interim President Dr. Tim Casper said that the college did not have insights into the reason behind this visa suspension. Madison College supports 195 F-1 visa holders, representing 61 places of citizenship across 46 programs of study. (An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the United States to study at an accredited academic institution, such as a university, college, or language training program.)
Casper said like other universities and UW campuses, Madison College was not contacted by the State Department. The college identified the visa termination by reviewing the relevant student visa database managed by the State Department.
Terminating the students’ records in the government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program database signifies they have lost their legal status in the U.S. and are required to leave the country immediately or take legal action to try to stay.
The college is working directly with the student, offering care as the student processes this news.
“This is ‘new’ work for Madison College and the student. We do have questions we need to ask and answer about how to support this student. My goal is for us to provide the maximum support we can within any legal confines we must adhere to,” Casper wrote in an email.
Casper said that the college is particularly interested in determining how to support this student in completing their spring semester coursework if that is what they desire to do.
“This is likely a stressful time for our international students. They may feel worried or concerned, even if they have not been directly affected. Many are away from family and loved ones, which may further heighten these emotions, Casper continued. “There is deep pride held by all of us in fostering a sense of belonging for all students—and that commitment feels especially important right now.”
Because of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the college cannot identify the student, regardless of their visa status.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 41 state students have had their visas terminated, with 26 terminations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 10 at UW-Milwaukee, and four at the other UW campuses (a breakdown of those campuses was unavailable). At private universities, 10 terminations have occurred at Concordia University.
Nationally, more than 300 student visas were revoked as the government expanded the reasons for deportation, according to CNN.
College leadership is working closely with Stephanie Belmas, director of the Center for International Education (CIE), and the team to stay informed and ensure its international students are supported.
Belmas sent an email to all F-1 visa status international students at Madison College, listing reputable associations that are tracking policy changes impacting immigration and international education:
• AILA: American Immigration Lawyers Association
• NAFSA: Association of International Educators
• Higher Ed Immigration Portal
• National Immigration Law Center
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center
If students wish to seek legal counsel about their specific situation, here are resources to consider:
- Community Immigration Law Center: (608) 640-4444; Attorney Referral List available under “Services/Servicios.”
- American Immigration Lawyers Association: (202) 507-7600; Directory available at https://ailalawyer.com/.
- Immigration Advocates Network
- Immigrant Justice Clinic: (608) 890-3753
- Community Justice, Inc.: (608) 204-9642