To the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ community:
I know recent Executive Orders at the federal level have alarmed many members of our community. Some orders are especially concerning for our international and immigrant community members, including those lacking permanent legal status. As I noted in an email last week, we will navigate these times and stay true to our values while also complying with the law.
Today, I write to share information and resources that the university has to support our international students, faculty, staff and postdocs. These colleagues are and will continue to be an essential part of the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ community.
Outlined below are answers to frequently asked questions, based on the information available at this time. However, the situation is very dynamic; we will continue to provide updated information with our ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ community.
As always, those in need of counseling support should use ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s free services at any time, day or night. Students can reach University Counseling Services at 216.368.5872 or by scheduling an appointment online through , or access 24/7 online support through ; faculty and staff counseling services are available through AllOne Health, the university’s Employee Assistance Provider, at 800.227.6007 or .
Sincerely,
Eric W. Kaler
President
FAQ
Q: What do I do if a government agency or outside police department shows up at a university office, classroom or building and asks about the immigration status of a student, faculty, staff or postdoc?
A: For any outside agency that comes to campus requesting student information, it has always been ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s policy to direct officials to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Public Safety or ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Office of General Counsel, who will then respond if required under the law. You can contact Public Safety at 216.368.3300 or the Office of the General Counsel at 216.368.4286.
Q: What should a faculty, staff or student do if they are in a clinical setting and a government agency arrives and asks about the immigration status of a student or patient?
A: If you are a student, you should immediately contact your supervising clinician or administrator, who will follow the clinical site’s protocol. Any ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ clinical site should direct officials to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Public Safety (216.368.3300) or ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Office of General Counsel (216.368.4286).
Q: If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests student information, will the university provide it?
A: The largely prohibits universities that receive federal funds from releasing information about students except in a small number of instances—among them compliance with a judicial subpoena or a health and safety emergency. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ abides by the provisions of FERPA in all cases, including those that may involve a student who is undocumented. In other words, the university will not release student data to anyone without a judicial subpoena.
Q: Where should those on student visas go for information about traveling outside of the United States or with questions about their visa status?
A: The VISA Office suggests the following:
- Check the VISA Office website for any updates to travel policies and procedures.
- Do not rely on rumors or social media for your travel information.
- If you have any questions about your specific situation, please make an appointment with a visa advisor.