The recent visa record terminations of six University of Wisconsin students and seven alumni have caused concerns regarding international students.
The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union Senior Staff Attorney Tim Muth says it is unclear what allowed the federal government to terminate these visas.
“But it does appear to be clear that the students weren’t given any prior notice or opportunity to be heard on the issue,” Muth said.
On Monday, UW released an update informing the public that UW had learned the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the web-based system used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to maintain information on international students, had been terminated.
The termination of these UW student visas follows the recent influx of student visa terminations at universities across the nation, according to the Associated Press.
“Once your status in the system is terminated, your presence in the U.S. shifts from authorized to unauthorized,” Muth said.
The switch from an authorized status to an unauthorized status means students can be prosecuted for illegally being in the country, Muth said.
The cases of these students whose visas have been terminated are no different than the cases of any undocumented person, Muth said.
“If the federal government chooses to, it can now arrest you, detain you and then by force, essentially escort you to a plane and send you to your home country,” Muth said.
Students can contest their unauthorized status or deportation in immigration court, Muth said.
Unauthorized immigrants in court have the right to consult and pay a lawyer, according to Muth.
“Get in contact with an immigration attorney who can give you advice about whether there are things related to your particular circumstance that may help you challenge removal from the country,” Muth said.
The ACLU is looking into how the termination of student visas may be violating the right to due process, according to Muth.
Muth recommends that those concerned about being deported or the deportation of someone they know should learn their rights in an interaction with law enforcement and pay attention to ongoing lawsuits.
New Hampshire’s ACLU chapter announced on Monday that they had filed a lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of a student at Dartmouth College who had his visa terminated without reason.
The actions of the federal government could have a negative impact on the immigrant community at UW in the future.
“If you were considering studying in the U.S. versus studying in some other country around the world, you might very well choose not to be in the U.S. under the current administration,” Muth said.
UW claims it will continue to learn why these visa terminations occurred and stay committed to communicating with their valued international community at UW.
Muth expects a significant decline in international student enrollment in future semesters.
“Students that have rights that need to be protected,” Muth said.
