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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
CEDAR FALLS, IA
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025
VOLUME 121, ISSUE 28
Faculty and students speak out for academic freedom at Teach In
See TEACH-IN, page 2 NORTHERN IOWAN/MACI SWANSON
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Two international students face uncertainty with visa flagging BAILEY KLINKHAMMER Executive Editor
CAMPUS LIFE
Josue Villatoro covers the recent Strayer-Wood Theatre production “Airness” SEE PAGE 6
SPORTS Carter Lust explains UNI mens baseketball’s recent lack of player transfers SEE PAGE 10
The University of Northern Iowa has confirmed that two international UNI students have been flagged in the federal Student Exchange and Visitor Information System, the system where student visas are kept and maintained. The University of Iowa has confirmed that international students have seen their visas revoked from SEVIS, with at least five international student visas being revoked at the University of Iowa. At this time, UNI has not reported any student visa revocation. “UNI continues to engage in conversations with students as we provide support or direct them to where they can receive needed services,” the Director of University Relations, Pete Moris, said in a statement to the Northern Iowan. The Office of International Engagement referred the Northern Iowan to Moris for questions regarding international student SEVIS flagging. At this time, the university declined to share further information to protect the identities of the international students currently affected. International students normally maintain a F-1, M-1 or J-1 visa while attending uni-
versity in the U.S. SEVIS is the U.S. system used to track internaOnce a visa is revoked by tional students, their visas and the U.S. government, the U.S. their student status at their cor- Immigrations and Customs responding institution. Accord- Enforcement (ICE) can initiing to the American Immigra- ate removal of the student, if tion Lawyers the student has Association violated the (AILA), law. Other“Universiwise, ICE can UNI continues to ties must initiate rereport in moval of the engage in conversations S E V I S student under the nonINA 237(a) immigrant with students as we provide (4)(C), the s t u d e n t ’s pretense that initial ad- support or direct them to “[a]n alien mission, whose presc o u r s e where they can receive ence or acload, when tivities in the they trans- needed services. United States fer, extend the Secretheir stay, tary of State or engage has reasonPete Moris in employable grounds Director of University Relations ment, as to believe well as would have when their potentially address changserious adverse es.” The AILA also says that foreign policy consequences visa revocation is under the for the United States is deportdiscretion of the U.S. govern- able,” according to the AILA. ment, but revocation when a The AILA said in a brief that student is already in the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Ruonly occurs under “extreme bio has reported up to 300 vicircumstances.” These circum- sas have been revoked under stances typically include being this pretense. At this time, the found guilty of a crime in the University of Iowa Campaign
to Organize Graduate Students union has reported that ICE has not yet approached any international students whose visas have been revoked. UNI has not seen any international student visa revocation in SEVIS as of Tuesday, Apr. 22. “We are closely monitoring issues that affect international students. The UNI Office of International Engagement (OIE) is checking the SEVIS database regularly and will reach out if we see a change in status for any current students. We strongly encourage you to immediately consult with OIE if you receive any notice or have any concerns,” the university said in an email to UNI’s 203 international students in the wake of SEVIS flagging and revocation across the regent universities. “As we navigate these uncertain times, we want to remind you of your rights and responsibilities as international students in the U.S. and at UNI.” The university encourages international students to carry their documentation with them at all times and continue to comply with visa requirements, as well as updating the OIE with any phone number or address changes.