April 22, 2025 | Office of the President

Community Update: International Students and Colleagues

A follow-up message regarding our international community

The oak leaf seal of the University of Connecticut.

(Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Dear Colleagues and Students,

We write today to follow-up on the April 10 message to the community regarding student visa revocations and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record terminations that are disrupting the lives and academic careers of international students and scholars in the U.S., including at UConn.

As of today, we are aware of 13 international students at UConn – 12 current students and one recent graduate completing postgraduate training – who have had their SEVIS records terminated. The university has not received any communication from the federal government regarding these actions; staff became aware of the revocations through repeated audits of the SEVIS system. There is no evidence these students were targeted due to political speech or affiliation.

For an international student, losing one’s SEVIS status is devastating, particularly with only a few weeks remaining in the semester. UConn has been in regular contact with each of the 13 students and has connected them with one another. We are coordinating with the Dean of Students office and The Graduate School to provide academic triage while the students are evaluating their legal options. We have reached out to the schools and colleges to make them aware of the situation so they can help identify solutions to support the students academically and emotionally, and we have organized an immigration Q&A with outside legal counsel for impacted and potentially impacted students.

Staff across multiple units continue to work together to identify additional avenues of support, including Global Affairs, Student Life and Enrollment, Diversity and Inclusion, General Counsel, and the Provost’s Office, among others.

This week, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will host two meetings for international students and visiting scholars as a follow-up to the Immigration Q&A held last Tuesday.  Participants need to register and may also submit their questions in advance of the meetings.

Immigration Q & A Follow Up for International Undergraduate Students, Exchange Students, and UCAELI students.

As a reminder:

  • International students and visiting scholars can visit the Center for International Students & Scholars website for updated guidance on travel concerns and emerging trends related to their immigration status, and to connect with international advising staff who can provide individualized guidance.
  • Undocumented students can reach out to the Dean of Students Office and view the Undocumented Student Resources.
  • Additional student support is available from the Dean of Students Office and The Graduate School.
  • UConn employees who have questions about their employment-based visa sponsorship can reach out to Alison Cutler or Christene Cooper in Human Resources.
  • The International Office at UConn Health is responsible for all visas for international students and staff/faculty employed through UConn Health. Reach out to Kaitlin Dornenburg, Department of Human Resources, for assistance.
  • UConn faculty and staff can reach out to Rae Alexander, Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs, with general questions or concerns about changing immigration policies and their impact on our community.

We are a Connecticut institution and also a global university with a deep sense of care and compassion for members of our community. This is a very difficult and stressful time for our international students, faculty, and staff. Even if just to offer a kind word, please reach out to the international classmates and colleagues you know – hearing supportive words from others will not solve a specific problem, but it will be a reminder that we are a community where we support one another.

Radenka Maric
President

Anne D’Alleva
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Nathan Fuerst
Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment

Jeffrey Hines
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer

Daniel Weiner
Vice President for Global Affairs

Lakeesha Brown
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer