By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The change in immigration status for a BGSU international student that threatened their ability to stay in the country has since been reversed.
The student, who has not been named, was one of thousands who had their status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System changed. According to Inside Higher Education, all those have been reversed “while (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) develops a policy framework for record terminations.”
The news stirred concern on campus, as the federal government has been deporting a number of people in the country despite being here legally. That has included a number of students at other institutions who participated in protests of Israel’s war in Gaza.
At last week’s faculty senate meeting while the student’s status was still in limbo, Interim Provost Glenn Davis acknowledged that international students are in “a very difficult and unsettled position.”
“I understand there’s a lot of concern for our international student community,” he said.
Universities are not notified by federal officials about these changes.
Davis said BGSU officials and those at other schools are monitoring a variety of sources for information “to make sure that they’re collaborating and working with other folks in similar positions across the state and the region, so that they can share any information that’s pertinent for their international student population.”
Davis said that the university’s Official of International Programs and Partnerships also sent out a memo to international students reiterating the guidance that has already been provided.
Students are told to carry their passports and visas and other records as well as a list of emergency contacts with them at all time.
Faculty and staff who have immigration concerns were encouraged to reach out to the university’s general counsel’s office with questions.
