05-04-2025
Central Michigan University exchange student records terminated without notice
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)— The Office of the President for Central Michigan University has issued a statement following the unexpected termination of exchange student records.
The office reports that the United States Department of Homeland Security has terminated records of some current and former students from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
The office says neither the university nor the impacted students received any notification of the status changes.
Dear students, faculty and staff,
This week, during routine reviews of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), CMU staff learned that several current and former international student SEVIS records had been terminated by the United States Department of Homeland Security. Neither the university nor the impacted students had received any notification of the status changes.
Based on reports from Inside Higher Education, the Chronicle of Higher Education and numerous news media outlets, we know this revocation is happening to hundreds of international students at colleges and universities nationwide. This news is alarming and may be especially difficult for our international students, faculty and staff, who are valuable, important members of our community.
CMU does not have the ability to reverse the government's decision to terminate a student's visa status, nor can the university's Office of General Counsel provide legal guidance or services to individual students, faculty, and staff. This situation is evolving quickly, and we are committed to doing all we can to support our university community. Here's what we are able to share at this time – we will update the community as we learn more.
Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D., president and Paula Lancaster, Ph.D., provost, CMU news release
CMU is encouraging international students and staff affected by this termination to seek legal counsel.
Although CMU cannot recommend specific immigration attorneys, they have shared resources to help those affected do so. The has a list of immigration lawyers on its website. It can be found under the resources tab.
CMU students can also contact Legal Services of Eastern Michigan at 1-800-322-9142 or on its .
Staff have been asked to direct international students seeking help to legal and emotional resources.
The university says there have been no reports of Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection officers on the school's campus.
'To our international students, faculty, and staff: You are welcome here, and we are glad to have you as members of our community. In uncertain times, we rely on our friends, colleagues, and neighbors to help us weather challenges. Thank you in advance for offering compassion and kindness to our students and to each other as we navigate these changes,' said CMU President Neil MacKinnon and CMU Provost Paula Lancaster in a news release sent to 6 News.
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