Amid renewed focus from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on international students, universities are stepping up their support. Princeton University has updated its FAQs for non-citizen students, faculty, and staff, providing vital information during this uncertain time.
The revised FAQ site is available only to those with Princeton logins, but the university has promoted it widely. Posters and social media posts have informed the campus community about the essential resources available, including guidance on visa issues and support services.
Already this year, ICE has revoked the visas of over 1,800 international students across 280 institutions, raising concerns among students. At Princeton, at least two individuals faced visa revocation recently, highlighting the urgency of the updated information from the university.
Princeton’s proactive stance comes after months of limited communication regarding immigration enforcement under the previous administration. Notably, it remains the only Ivy League school yet to disclose the number of students affected by ICE actions.
The site encourages affected international community members to reach out to the Davis International Center and the Department of Public Safety if they encounter issues. In cases of detention, students are advised to contact the Office of the General Counsel and their personal attorneys.
Furthermore, the University underscores its commitment to support. It states that financial and legal aid may be available for those targeted due to their views or participation in protests. Such actions could threaten the university’s mission, prompting case-by-case evaluations for legal responses from the General Counsel’s office.
Faculty and staff are also instructed on how to handle ICE inquiries, advising them to decline to provide documents without proper authorization. Students are explicitly told not to allow ICE representatives into university buildings or to consent to searches of dorm rooms. The FAQs also provide a comprehensive list of campus and legal resources, which can be invaluable to those navigating these challenges.
For context, amid rising concerns over immigration policies, institutions have increasingly become advocates for their international communities. Approximately 50% of international students reported feeling anxious about their status, according to a recent survey by the Institute of International Education. As universities like Princeton bolster their resources, student well-being remains a top priority.
In this climate, clear communication and accessible resources are more critical than ever. As the landscape evolves, the role of universities in supporting students cannot be understated.