Dear International Students,
We are reaching out to you during what we know is a time of significant uncertainty and understandable worry for many in our international community. We want to provide you with the most up to date information, as well as to let you know about resources available to you as members of the international community at UC Santa Cruz.
As of this writing, three UCSC graduate students have had their SEVIS records terminated. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been any Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence on our campus or other law enforcement activity related to this situation. We want to emphasize that the information below may affect a very small number of students, however, we want to ensure you are aware of these developments.
We know this action is generating understandable concern and questions. We also know that it is essential to stay connected to reliable sources of information and to understand what steps are being taken on the campus level. Please know that the ISSP team is here to support you during this challenging time and we are committed to providing guidance and ensuring your well-being. While the campus is respecting the privacy of those affected by limiting the information that we release, we want to share with you what we are doing in support of our community members.
Termination of SEVIS Record
ISSP is directly monitoring SEVIS daily for unusual termination activity. In the case of a SEVIS termination, ISSP will reach out to the student directly by email with support information and suggest immediately booking an appointment with us. We are providing those affected with resources to navigate the process and are encouraging them to seek legal counsel for further guidance.
Visa Revocations
The Federal government has begun revoking the visas of certain individuals who they deem ineligible for the visa status they currently hold, including some F-1 and J-1 visa holders. Historically, in practice, the Department of State will notify the visa holder using the email indicated in the visa application. However, this may not happen.
While ISSP has access to the SEVIS system that provides us with the status of your SEVIS record, the system does not provide any direct information regarding the status of the visa. We are not notified directly regarding visa revocations. Please be sure to monitor all email addresses for potential notifications, particularly any email address used in a visa application, as you may be notified directly by a US immigration agency such as the Department of State or Department of Homeland Security. Please notify ISSP (istudent@ucsc.edu if you receive an email from a federal agency.
Please make sure that your local US address & phone numbers are up to date in iGlobal in the event that ISSP needs to contact you urgently.
We understand that the current changes surrounding visa policies and the uncertainty they bring can cause significant anxiety and stress. ISSP offers in-person and virtual advising sessions during which you can speak directly with an ISS Advisor. We also host drop-in advising with ISS Advisors and CAPS at our monthly Global Cafe event, including next Wednesday, April 16, 14:00–16:00 in Classroom Unit 101, the Global Engagement Conference Room. Campus resources include:
- Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Slug Support: Can help you get connected to a multitude of other campus resources
Finally, please know that ISSP will do all we can to support you during this difficult time and continue to be your main source of information for all things related to your visa status. We will continue to provide our international community with information and guidance regarding changing federal policies and will continue to post updates on our Immigration Guidance Webpage.
International students and scholars make UCSC a more vibrant place to learn, live and work and you will continue to have our support. Should you have any questions about the contents of this message please reach out to ISSP at istudent@ucsc.edu or with an ISS Advisor.
Sincerely,
Lacey Long-Vejar
Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Division of Global Engagement
University of California, Santa Cruz
Phone: 831-459-2858 | global.ucsc.edu