President Stritikus addresses recent federal actions revoking visas and terminating the status of international students at colleges nationwide.
Dear Occidental Community:
Over the past few weeks, the federal government has revoked the visas and terminated the student statuses of several hundred international students at college campuses across the country. I am deeply concerned by these actions. Our Senior Leadership team is closely monitoring new federal actions, determining how to best navigate them, and taking steps to advocate for our collective academic communities.
For example, this week 幸运快三 joined other institutions in signing an expressing concerns about the government鈥檚 policy of revoking the visas of and arresting, detaining, and deporting noncitizen students and faculty based on ideology. Amicus briefs, through which parties that are not directly involved in a case may provide the courts with additional information, arguments, and perspectives, are legal tools that can create powerful opportunities for institutions to stand together and take collective action with a unified voice. This amicus brief underscores the essential role that international students, scholars, and graduates play in our communities, and how valuable their contributions are to our College, our country, and the world.
I want to reaffirm that an Occidental education remains accessible for all students, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, as has always been our commitment in compliance with federal and state law. If a student becomes subject to an immigration order after losing visa status, the College will provide individualized support and make all reasonable efforts to help them retain eligibility for financial aid, housing, and other benefits. We would also help to ensure a seamless transition back to school once the student was able to return. The International Programs Office (IPO) can also work with students to try to identify any international programs for which they may be eligible, pending their return.
The College will continue to provide community and individual resources, training, and programming, such as our previous Know Your Rights sessions, community town halls, and timely guidance related to potential immigration enforcement actions. We have also published protocols related to immigration issues, which is available on the College鈥檚 website.
If you have specific concerns about how the shifting policy environment impacts you or someone else, please reach out to the many campus resources and offices here to help you. These include, but aren鈥檛 limited to, our International Programs Office, Dean of Students and Student Affairs, Dean of the College and Academic Affairs, Intercultural Community Center, Human Resources, and the Civil Rights & Title IX Office.
We will continue to be guided by our institutional values as we work to support everyone in our community and advocate for the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.
Sincerely,
Tom