On March 31, University of Arizona students were left confused and concerned after emails from the International Student Service reminded international students to carry their visa and passport while on campus.
Since the news was sent to UA students, multiple Arizona State University students have had their visas revoked. Similar events have happened at campuses across the country.
The email from ISS stated, “Keep copies of your immigration documents in a readily accessible place. It is recommended that you carry a copy of your passport, I-94, and proof of status at all times.”
The email also told students to check for updates on immigration situations from the Department of State and to look out for potential travel bans that could impact students traveling back to their native countries.
Rumors were spread via social media on April 3 about the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on campus.
According to UA officials, they have no knowledge of ICE being present on campus, and the claims have not been supported by concrete evidence. Community members are also unclear about where the rumors started and where they came from.
According to Mitch Zak, the university spokesperson, the university could not confirm or deny whether students have had visas revoked.
“I wanted to point out that the university will not address whether or not students, faculty, or international scholars have had their visas revoked for privacy reasons. I recognize that there have been unconfirmed reports and wanted to provide that clarification,” Zak said.
The Arizona Daily Star reported that the UA administration refused to accept a public information request sent by the newspaper last week.
“The Star is only asking for the university to follow state law in releasing information to the public. No state entity is immune from public-records law,” the article said. “If complying with records requests is not within the university’s resources, the administration needs to inform the Regents that it is in violation of the law and needs funding to rectify the situation.”
The Arizona Daily Star has also reported the refusal to release the number of students with revoked visas.
“U of A officials weren’t able to answer that question to our satisfaction, saying merely that the university had decided to take a conservative approach to information release,” the article said.
The Arizona Daily Star said that they were able to get the same information from Arizona State University, and does not understand why the UA is unwilling to comply.
According to Chief Safety Officer Steve Patterson, the university is not aware of any federal law enforcement on campus.
“The university is not aware of any federal law enforcement activity involving students, faculty, or staff. We care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of our campus community. Anyone with concerns about suspicious or criminal activity should contact the University of Arizona Police Department, while students experiencing stress or facing difficult circumstances are encouraged to reach out to the Dean of Students Office for support,” Patterson wrote.
An update on the Federal Landscape page of the Office of the Provost website was released following the recent concerns in UA policies regarding student visas. It includes information on procedures with non-university law enforcement.
The update explained that a large portion of the university’s campus, like the UA Mall, is open to the public, including to non-university law enforcement. However, law enforcement officers are not permitted entry without cause into other areas, such as classrooms and dormitories.
“In most circumstances, law enforcement officials may not enter a classroom, laboratory, dorm room, or private office without a warrant, a judicial order or exigent circumstances,” according to the update.
It is unknown how the school’s policy will coordinate with the Trump administration’s recent rescission of protected areas from ICE. Places such as schools are no longer protected, and ICE officials can enter certain public areas of campus without any warrant. However, non-public areas require permission from a university official.
The update shares that university employees must cooperate with non-university law enforcement and not interfere with their work by blocking entries or doorways. It also instructs employees to redirect law enforcement to UAPD offices or wait for a UAPD officer to arrive on the scene to address the situation.
Regardless, students feel nervous, concerned and confused about what to do next. UA student Shanshan Zhang said she does not feel safe going on campus following the ISS email and the rumors.
“For me, the university is doing nothing but complying,” Zhang said. “I feel like, I guess [the university is] not going to protect me. I guess I will just do my strategy right now. I will just stay at home.”
After the rumor, Zhang felt more scared to come on campus and contacted her other international student friends to warn them about what was happening.
“I recommended to her [Zhang’s international student friend], ‘Hey, if you go out for anything make sure there are people around you,’” Zhang said. “She started to send me some news of threats from RedNote. Some Chinese students post stuff. They are saying their visas got revoked just because of a traffic ticket 2 years ago.”
Zhang sees UAPD in the same position as the Tucson Police Department, and feels that neither will protect her nor warn her if ICE does show up on campus.
Since the email was sent, Zhang has contacted a lawyer. The lawyer told her not to panic or pack her things but to stay in America.
“They just want to create this fear and scare us,” Zhang said, repeating what her lawyer told her. However, she feels that Zhang must protect herself.
The advice that Zhang was told was that if she went out, she should try to find people who had citizenship and remain calm.
Zhang clarified that remaining calm meant not participating in protests that bring attention to herself, committing crimes or anything that might give police a reason to keep an eye out for her.
For students concerned about ongoing policies and who want to learn more about what to do, the Thrive Center has a page for Immigrant Student Resources.
Patterson also encouraged students to contact the Dean of Students Office for support if they are experiencing stress or difficult circumstances.
