The University of Michigan has publicly announced that it will not be revealing the immigration status of its students. This comes after President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning travel from seven countries for 90 days.
Michigan Daily reported that UM President Mark Schlissel confirmed on Saturday that the school is committed to helping its international students and faculty. On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order banning the immigration and travel of people from seven Muslim-majority countries.
In an announcement on the University of Michigan's official website, Schlissel affirmed that the school is committed to protecting the rights and opportunities of its academic community. He also admitted that they will continue to identify, recruit, support and retain academic talent from all around the world.
The University of Michigan is one of the hundreds of colleges and universities that signed a letter in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Executive Order. The institution is also working with the Association of American Universities (AAU) and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).
Another legislation that the school has expressed support for is the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act. It would allow people who arrived in the U.S. as children to stay for another three years without fear of deportation as Congress addresses the changes in the immigration system.
The University of Michigan has vowed to continue welcoming and supporting students without regard to their immigration status. It will continue to comply with federal requirements in connection to the management of its international programs. However, it will not share sensitive information such as immigration status.
According to Michigan Live, the institution will be focusing on potential changes to immigration laws, policies and practices. These are especially important since it may include programs and policies that can affect international students, particularly those who are undocumented.
