Tennessee chancellor says four on campus at risk for deportation after immigration status change
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — University of Tennessee, Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman said three current students and a former student who works at the university are at risk of being deported.
In an internal letter sent to university staff, Plowman said the legal status of the four people in the Student Exchange Visitor System has changed amid Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts to change the legal status of international students across the country.
HHS staff cuts jeopardize program that helps Knox County seniors pay utilities
As a result of the status change, they are no longer legally eligible to be enrolled or employed and are at risk of deportation. Plowman wrote that federal records indicate the students and former student were 'identified in a criminal records check.'
The university researched the federal database and found that one student is on judicial diversion for a property crime, and another has been charged with driving under the influence. Plowman said that they are still working to determine the reasoning behind the status change for the other two people.
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She said the university's Office of General Counsel has posted information for the campus community in case someone is approached by federal law enforcement on campus related to students.
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