International students and scholars: here are the resources and important information you need to know about,put together by BU and compiled in one place by BU Today. Photo by Hannah Osofsky

Student Life

Resource Guide: Everything BU International Students and Faculty Need to Know Right Now

Amid challenging times, Boston University is supporting its international community with resources and info ranging from visas to travel to their legal rights. “We are stronger because we come from so many different backgrounds and have different experiences,” President Melissa Gilliam says

Amid rising concerns for the safety and protection of international students and scholars across the country, many questions are coming from Boston University’s own international community—around their visas, their legal rights, their international travel plans, and other issues. 

A pair of high-profile incidents in recent weeks saw international students arrested and detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including a PhD student at nearby Tufts University and a Columbia University graduate. In both cases, the students were in the country legally, one as a green card holder and the other on a student visa. Both arrests appear to have been connected to the students’ political views. The arrests have alarmed international college students and faculty across the country, and at BU, where students staged a protest last week outside the office of Dean of Students Jason Campbell-Foster.

Another set of events has recently been reported involving international students whose visas have been revoked by the US Department of State, along with the termination of their SEVIS record, with little to no notice (SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). Historically, the State Department would only revoke a student visa if a student is arrested or convicted of a crime in the United States. However, it appears the federal government may now be relying on other information—such as immigration history, social media activity, or even past speeding tickets—to revoke visas of students they allege pose a threat to US national security. In response, the ISSO is now routinely reviewing SEVIS for any visa terminations. (BU has had some cases of SEVIS termination. The University immediately notified the affected students, answered their questions, and provided them with sources to find appropriate immigration counsel.)

“Shifting policies from the federal government are having a direct impact on students at colleges and universities across the country,” BU President Melissa Gilliam says. “The safety of all our students is our highest priority, and we remain committed to our founding belief that higher education should be accessible to all individuals who meet our admissions standards—we are stronger because we come from so many different backgrounds and have different experiences.”

And, she adds: “Our international students, staff, and faculty are deeply valuable to our community; we would not be the strong university that we are today, without the many perspectives and talents that they bring with them to campus. We will protect our students to the best of our ability, and we are here to provide the many resources and support that are delineated in this article.”

What does all of this mean for BU’s international community?

BU Today has compiled here, in one place, a list of resources and important information that the University has put together (as well as information from the National Immigrant Justice Center), covering everything from traveling outside the country to knowing your rights as a visa holder to who to contact for legal help, and more. “As we move forward together during these uncertain times,” Gilliam says, “let us listen to each other openly, even if our experiences and points of view differ, and let us find ways to support one another, as shared members of a university community that we all love.”

Find additional information and resources on web pages for BU’s International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO), Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Actions, and Safety, Security, and Preparedness. For mental health support, students can reach out to Student Health Services Behavioral Medicine to schedule an appointment or learn about their resources online. Faculty and staff should contact the Faculty & Staff Assistance Office. 

Have a personal safety plan

A few simple steps can help you feel prepared for an unexpected issue:

Carrying documents

You should keep original or hard copies, not just digital copies, of your immigration documents on you at all times. This includes your I-551, your most recent I-20, DS-2019, or I-797 document, your most recent I-94 arrival record, and your passport. Be aware of the expiration dates of any documents, stamps, and signatures, and make sure they’re up to date. Learn more about documentation here.

You may also want to carry “Know Your Rights” cards. Find the files to print such cards—which you can print at a print shop or places like the UPS Store—here.

Maintaining student and scholar status

Now is the time to make sure you are maintaining your visa status. Follow all guidelines for your visa, including course load and health insurance requirements, and make sure you’re in compliance with employment or exchange restrictions. 

If anything changes—such as if you move apartments, or learn that your program will extend past its expected end date—notify your ISSO advisor right away so the office can help ensure your documents are updated. Expecting to take some time off from school or work? Find information about requesting a leave of absence here.

International students and scholars are encouraged to routinely check the ISSO website and their BU email for ISSO updates. ISSO will continue to host virtual Information Sessions to provide updates and answer questions.   

What if ICE comes to campus?

What happens if immigration officers show up outside your class or residence seeking access or information about another member of the BU community?

This is where the Boston University Police Department (BUPD) comes in. First, know that BUPD does not have the authority to enforce federal immigration law or detain individuals based on immigration status. BUPD will also never ask you about your immigration status.

If an immigration official approaches you seeking access to University property or information about another member of the BU community, be aware that many areas of the University are not open to the public and that some of the information requested may be subject to state and federal privacy laws. Ask the official to wait somewhere appropriate while you contact BUPD for assistance. If you are unable to wait for BUPD assistance, direct the official to contact BUPD. (BUPD is at 32 Harry Agganis Way; the phone number is 617-353-2121, a number to save in your phone.) BUPD will work with the Office of the General Counsel and other BU officials to determine how to proceed based on the applicable laws.

Know your rights

If you’re an international student and are approached by an immigration officer, stay calm, and don’t run or resist even if you believe your rights are being violated. To prepare for the possibility of an encounter, you may want to review one of the many “Know Your Rights” guides available online, such as this one from the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

And what if a federal immigration enforcement officer shows up demanding access to a residence hall or area that requires building access?

If a BU employee comes face-to-face with an ICE official, they should immediately tell them to contact the BU Office of the General Counsel or BUPD for assistance. The next step is to ask for the officer’s name, agency affiliation, and identification number.

If you have to travel

According to a travel advisory issued by the BU International Students & Scholars Office, visa holders are cautioned to avoid departing the United States—especially if you need a new visa to return—until there is more clarity from the federal government.

From BU ISSO: It is important that you assess your individual situation and evaluate possible risks when making travel plans in the middle of your academic activities. While family emergencies could necessitate travel in the middle of your program, you might choose to postpone some vacation or professional-related travel until after program completion.

If you absolutely need to travel abroad, there are several things to keep in mind:

Summer housing and studying abroad

For visa holders not planning to travel outside the United States, now is the time to plan your summer housing accommodations. For help securing on-campus housing this summer, reach out to BU Housing or the Dean of Students Office. If you’d prefer to live off campus, check out this BU Today guide for tips on how to find off-campus apartments. 

If you are planning to study abroad in an upcoming semester, contact your ISSO advisor and the Study Abroad Office for guidance.

If you need a lawyer or legal guidance

There are several private immigration lawyers in the Boston/Cambridge area who have experience working with BU students, including on areas like F-1 reinstatements, green card applications, and employer- or sponsor-based applications. Know that you will likely be charged a fee for their services. An immigration lawyer referral list for the BU community can be found on the ISSO website under “Additional Resources.”

Search for more immigration lawyers at www.ailalawyer.com. 

Some organizations may be able to help you for free or for a reduced fee, such as the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, the Boston Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement, the Immigration Advocates Network, and Justicia Lab’s Immigration Law Help tool. You can also search for legal resources in Massachusetts here. 

Protesting and social media 

It’s being reported that immigration authorities are looking into visa holders’ political and social media activity, so be mindful about anything you post online or participate in, from joining a protest to authoring an op-ed in a campus publication. If you are considering participating in a protest, you may first want to review this Know Your Rights guide, specific to protesting, from the National Immigration Law Center.

If you’ve already been publicly involved in protest movements, it’s a good idea to:

If you need financial assistance

The University maintains a Student Emergency Assistance Fund to assist students with unexpected expenses they may incur while attending BU. The fund does not provide funding for legal fees. The fund comes from donations by students, alumni, and other friends of BU. Students must fill out a form for an Urgent Assistance Request; funds are disbursed on a case-by-case situation and are intended for short-term relief.