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Concerns Rise for UT Students Facing Deportation Due to Immigration Status Changes
Recent changes to the immigration status of three current students and one former student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT), have raised significant concerns about their potential deportation. Chancellor Donde Plowman communicated this alarming situation to the university community through an email on April 4.
The Center for Global Engagement at UT uncovered these changes in the federal immigration database utilized for managing documents pertaining to international students and exchange visitors.
According to the email from Plowman, these individuals were flagged in a criminal records check, leading to significant alterations in their legal status. Consequently, they are no longer eligible for enrollment at the university or permitted to work, placing them at risk of deportation.
Investigations by the university revealed that one student is currently in “judicial diversion” related to a property crime, while another has faced DUI charges. The university is still ascertaining the reasons behind the status changes for the other two individuals. The email did not disclose the names of those affected.
The Student Exchange Visitor System, or SEVIS, is the federal database where these critical immigration status adjustments are tracked, and it is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Chancellor Plowman stressed the importance of supporting these students while initiating a thorough inquiry into their circumstances. The International Student and Scholar Services at the Center for Global Engagement is actively reaching out to those affected and monitoring the SEVIS database for any further developments.
As of the fall 2024 semester, UT reported an enrollment of 1,425 international students, many of whom depend on student visas to attend classes. Additionally, UT offers resources to help students maintain their status and navigate employment opportunities, including guidance on status adherence and employment options. Furthermore, former students have pathways to remain in the U.S. through H-1B or O-1 sponsorships associated with employment opportunities, including those provided by UT.
Plowman’s communication highlighted a growing atmosphere of “unprecedented uncertainty” surrounding international students in institutions nationwide, attributing these shifts to actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that are reportedly impacting international student statuses systematically.
“The international community at our university is vital, and we deeply appreciate the invaluable contributions that international students, faculty, and staff provide,” Plowman emphasized in her email. “The Center for Global Engagement is committed to ensuring that our international students receive the information and support they need.”
To further assist the university community, UT’s Office of General Counsel has made available guidance for faculty and staff regarding procedures to follow if approached by federal law enforcement concerning student matters. Knox News has obtained documentation outlining these protocols, instructing staff to gather relevant information and direct law enforcement to the registrar’s office and university legal representatives.
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