Important Resources for Our Community
April 8, 2025
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Yesterday, BU Today published an article detailing resources that are available to members of our community who are immigrants, international, or are otherwise feeling vulnerable. I encourage everyone to read the article and familiarize themselves with University efforts to support those who have come to Boston University from other parts of the world, many of whom feel especially threatened in this moment. The article provides specific advice on safety planning, traveling, protests and social media, and emergency financial assistance, as well as what to do if approached by immigration enforcement and how to access legal support. I’ve included information on the latter two points below. You may also visit our Federal Actions website, which we continue to update with the latest information.
As I said in BU Today, the safety of all our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority, as is their security and privacy. Our immigrant and international students, faculty, and staff 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.
Many of you have questions about how Boston University would work with the federal government regarding inquiries on international students. The Boston University Police Department (BUPD) does not enforce federal immigration law and will never ask an individual about their immigration status. Moreover, personally identifiable information from student education records and faculty and staff personnel records, as well as other personal information, is protected by various state and federal privacy laws, which we take extremely seriously.
Here’s what you can do if a law enforcement official approaches you or a fellow community member on campus: Ask the official to wait somewhere appropriate while you contact BUPD, which will then work with the Office of the General Counsel and other University offices to address the request in accordance with the law. If you are unable to wait for BUPD assistance, you may ask the law enforcement official to contact BUPD themselves.
For those with legal concerns about their immigration status, the International Students & Scholars Office provides guidance and information about experienced immigration attorneys in the area.
This time in our country is uncertain. Rapid changes to federal policies are calling into question many of the very foundational values and missions of colleges and universities nationwide. And I know that many of you are afraid. As an administration, we will protect our faculty, staff, and students to the best of our ability, and together, let us all continue to look out for one another.
As we move forward, we must remain resolute and committed to Boston University’s founding belief that higher education should be accessible to all individuals who meet our admissions standards, and that we are stronger because we come from so many different backgrounds and have different experiences.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gilliam
President
*4/8/25 This message was sent to students, faculty, and staff.