We hope this message finds you well as we near the end of the spring semester. We recognize that this is an uncertain time, with some unprecedented changes by the federal government that are impacting our international community. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ deeply values the rich diversity of perspectives and experiences that our international students and scholars bring to the Rebel family. We’re moving forward with calm, care, and support to ensure that our students and scholars from around the world continue to know that they belong here.
We’re reaching out today to share important updates and let you know how you can help. Over the past month, U.S. visa revocations and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) terminations have affected individuals nationwide. Unfortunately, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ has had seven F-1 students impacted, including undergraduate and graduate students, as well as employees on OPT. We have not identified a clear pattern to these terminations. We’re relieved to share that we’ve had no new terminations in the last ten days, and we remain hopeful that this trend will continue. Several lawsuits have been filed across the country, and we’re actively working to advocate for our international students and scholars.
The 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global team has a comprehensive support process in place for any affected students and scholars. We recognize that the campus community wants to know how we are responding, and we’ve summarized those efforts below.
Daily Proactive SEVIS Monitoring
To date, when a visa was revoked or a SEVIS record terminated, neither the university nor the student was notified. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ discovered its first case through proactive, manual checks done by the International Student & Scholar Compliance (ISSC) team. They continue to monitor SEVIS daily, including weekends, to identify any new SEVIS terminations. Only Designated School Officials (DSOs) and Principal Designated School Officials (PDSOs) can access SEVIS. Students and scholars do not have access to SEVIS and cannot view their own records.
To our knowledge, our impacted international students have not been directly notified by the U.S. government. Once a case has been identified, the ISSC team reaches out immediately to the individual, with a full academic and student support care team, to share the news and provide comprehensive support.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global Support Team
At this time, only F-1 students have been affected, although some have been OPT employees. Should scholars be impacted in the future, a similar protocol will be implemented. Impacted students are notified and then supported by the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global Support Team, along with representatives from academic departments and colleges. Student support includes:
- In-person meetings to share legal and logistical resources and immigration information.
- Assistance with return travel, including financial support to purchase a ticket.
- Help managing housing and lease agreements.
- Academic coordination and support to complete the spring semester.
We also established a text group with each student to stay in regular contact as they processed the news, sought various types of assistance, asked questions, and prepared for departure. This is a deeply difficult and life-changing experience for those impacted. We’re doing everything we can to support our international students who are federally mandated to leave the U.S., and we continue to check in on them after their departure.
It’s important to note that their identities are protected under FERPA, and each individual has requested to remain anonymous. We’re honoring those wishes and will not share any information that could reveal their identity.
Ongoing Campuswide Support
In addition to direct response efforts, we’ve expanded support for all international students and scholars:
- 24/7 Emergency Support Line: Students and scholars can reach the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global Support Team anytime by calling 702-774-6477. During business hours, someone will answer directly. For after-hours emergencies, such as evenings and weekends, press 0 to be connected to a team member.
- You Belong Here 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global Luncheon on Tuesday, April 22: We’re hosting a luncheon for our international community to come together for connection, discussion, and Q&A. This is a space to ask questions, share experiences, and support each other. We’ll continue to host such events in the weeks ahead. If you’d like to co-sponsor an event or donate swag, we welcome your support and please reach out.
- Weekly Communications: We’re sending regular emails to international students and scholars with updates, resources, reminders, and messages of encouragement to ensure they feel supported and informed.
Ways to Advocate for Our International Students and Scholars
We’re grateful for the care and support shown across campus. Many have asked how they can help.
It’s important to note that impacted students have expressed concern about their privacy and safety. They’ve asked that this situation not receive public attention, as increased visibility, even if well-meaning, could unintentionally put them at greater risk. What’s most important now is helping our international community feel valued, supported, and connected, while ensuring they have access to the resources they need.
If you’d like to help, please consider the following:
- Connect Personally: Reach out to an international student and scholar you know and invite them to coffee or lunch, or show a small act of kindness.
- Share Accurate Information: Direct others to the most up-to-date information and resources on the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global website.
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Write Notes of Encouragement: Email messages to global@unlv.edu or drop off handwritten notes at BEH 543 and we’ll share them with students.
- Record a Short Video: Send a brief message of support reminding students they belong here. We’ll share it with the international community.
- Donate Items: Drop off swag or small gifts at BEH 543 to help us spread positivity at our upcoming You Belong Here events.
- Co-Sponsor an Event: Partner with 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global to host a breakfast, lunch, or coffee hour that builds community and creates safe spaces for international students and scholars.
- Consider Hiring an International Student or Graduate Assistant: If you have summer funding available, consider interviewing an international student. While we understand that summer employment is competitive and merit-based, we have a larger pool of international students searching for summer work this year to help cover the costs of staying in Las Vegas rather than returning home this summer.
- Support the Emergency Fund: to our international student emergency fund. Your contribution will be used to support affected international students.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our international students and scholars. If your department or unit is looking for ways to support our international community, contact 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global at global@unlv.edu.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ stands with our international community.
Warm regards,
Lindsey Gruber
Senior Executive Director, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Global
Kate Korgan
Officer in Charge, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost