MSU Prepares Faculty and Staff for Immigration Enforcement Actions

Michigan State University is stepping up preparation for possible immigration enforcement on and around campus in 2025, as federal actions intensify under President Trump and international students face renewed pressure over visa status. MSU officials said they have clarified policies for faculty, staff, and students; expanded legal and advocacy efforts; and set up rapid response teams to react quickly to new executive orders and agency directives.

The university emphasized that campus police are not required to assist or share information with ICE for deportation actions and will follow that policy unless a judge orders otherwise.

In April 2025, after a wave of visa cancellations, MSU confirmed that four international students had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System records—known as SEVIS—reinstated after a partial policy reversal by the administration. University leaders stressed that only four students’ SEVIS records were restored, and the status of other students remains unclear as federal reviews continue.

The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) is tracking these cases daily and issuing updates to students, faculty, and staff.

Policy clarifications and recent cases

MSU’s senior leaders reiterated in April that MSU campus police are not required to cooperate with ICE in actions tied to removals or deportations. That includes not sharing student information unless legally compelled.

This policy is intended to:

• Protect academic work and the safety of the campus community.
• Reduce confusion if ICE officers make requests on or near university property.
• Ensure the university stays within the law while limiting ad hoc exchanges.

The recent SEVIS reversals directly affect MSU’s global research mission. Four MSU students whose SEVIS records were terminated had those records restored in April 2025 after a federal reconsideration. The limited restoration highlights a patchwork environment: some students recover status, others do not, and many remain in limbo.

OISS is advising students who fear they could be affected and posts alerts as soon as federal agencies issue new guidance.

To interpret fast-moving federal actions, MSU’s Office of Government Relations led the creation of Rapid Response Working Groups. These teams combine policy specialists, legal staff, international education leaders, and communications experts to:

1. Analyze executive orders and agency moves.
2. Coordinate the university’s response.
3. Keep the community informed.

Their work includes both immediate actions—messaging and case support—and longer-term planning such as assessing impacts on academic terms and research travel.

MSU has also supported legal challenges mounted by national higher education coalitions. In 2025, the university backed an amicus brief in AAUP v. Rubio, arguing that sweeping visa cancellations and detentions harm academic freedom and weaken the global role of U.S. higher education. University leaders say these court filings complement on-the-ground support for students and staff.

For context on SEVIS and compliance, students can review the federal overview from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The U.S. government page explains how SEVIS works and what record changes can mean for status and travel. See the official SEVP resource at ICE SEVIS.

Training, protocols, and campus impact

MSU has rolled out resources for faculty and staff explaining rights and duties during a visit from federal officers. The materials cover:

• What to do if agents appear at an office or lab.
• What information can be shared without a subpoena or warrant.
• Where to find immediate support on campus.

The guidance stresses that no employee is required to assist ICE, and any contact from enforcement officers should be routed through university channels set by policy.

The university launched new training to increase awareness around immigration rules. In August 2025, MSU introduced an Immigration Compliance Webinar Series tailored to farm employers, managers, and agricultural professionals—reflecting the university’s goal of improving compliance education across sectors tied to campus research and outreach. Similar training and briefings are available for other units, including academic departments that host international scholars and visiting students.

MSU officials said the university meets with federal immigration enforcement officials when needed, following set protocols. These meetings aim to:

• Ensure consistent communication.
• Reduce the risk of ad hoc exchanges that may not follow policy.
• Maintain clear, lawful boundaries in every contact while supporting student and employee privacy and safety.

The stakes are personal for many on campus. International students concerned about visa checks or new agency moves are consulting OISS about travel plans, program timelines, and possible changes to academic schedules. Faculty who sponsor graduate researchers or postdocs want to know how to protect lab access and research deadlines if an advisee’s record is flagged. Staff serving as first points of contact when officers come to a building request straightforward checklists—and the university’s guidance aims to provide that clarity.

VisaVerge.com reports on federal immigration policy shifts affecting higher education, and MSU’s actions align with a broader pattern of universities ensuring students and staff know their rights and where to turn for help. That includes clarifying the difference between a request for information and a lawful order, and encouraging quick outreach to university officials when agencies appear on campus.

Wider context and next steps

These developments occur against the backdrop of an escalation that began in January 2025 with the start of President Trump’s second term. New executive orders and policy shifts have created pressure points for campuses, from visa revocations to detention risks during routine checks.

MSU says its priority is to keep research, teaching, and outreach running with as little disruption as possible while adapting to changing federal directions.

OISS will continue to monitor federal rules and practices and will post special alerts when agencies alter procedures that affect visa holders, including risks of SEVIS termination and steps for seeking review. The Office of Government Relations will coordinate policy response and advocacy in Washington, D.C., and work with national associations pressing for clearer rules that support international education.

University leaders emphasize that they will keep pushing for due process and fair treatment, which they say are central to academic freedom and MSU’s global partnerships.

Practical guidance for the MSU community

For faculty and staff:

• If approached by federal agents, refer to MSU policy and contact the appropriate university office before sharing information.
• Remember that campus police do not assist ICE in deportation actions unless there’s a court order or similar legal requirement.
• Direct international students and scholars with concerns to OISS for guidance on status, travel, and documentation.
• Use the university’s training and briefings to prepare for potential interactions with federal officers.

For international students:

• Stay in touch with academic advisors and OISS.
• Keep copies of current documents and check for OISS alerts.
• Ask OISS before making travel plans outside the United States 🇺🇸.

Important: Students whose SEVIS records were reinstated have returned to normal program steps, but others may still be under review. Federal decision-making can change quickly—stay informed and consult OISS before traveling.

Not everyone on campus agrees on the right approach. Some faculty and advocacy groups call for stronger “sanctuary”-style measures, arguing that any cooperation chills speech and harms research. Others stress the need for clear lines about what the university can and cannot do, noting legal risks if the campus ignores lawful orders.

MSU’s current position aims to balance these views by drawing a bright line—no voluntary cooperation—while complying fully when the law clearly requires action.

MSU officials say they will continue meeting with peer institutions and national organizations to share practices, track legal challenges, and prepare for further changes. If federal agencies or the courts reshape rules again this year, the Rapid Response Working Groups will update procedures and push out new guidance quickly.

For updates and direct support, MSU directs students, scholars, faculty, and staff to official channels:

• Office for International Students and Scholars: oiss.isp.msu.edu
• MSU Office of Government Relations: govrelations.msu.edu

In an emergency, community members should contact MSU’s security office, which will follow the university’s non-cooperation policy with ICE unless legally compelled, and coordinate with the appropriate university officials.

As spring and summer terms unfold, MSU says it will stick to its core message: protect people, uphold academic freedom, and comply with the law. That includes clear guidance for those who face a knock at the lab door, practical help for students as they work through status questions, and steady outreach in Washington. While the federal policy picture remains unsettled, MSU’s network—OISS services, campus police protocols, and Rapid Response Working Groups—provides a framework to manage the next round of changes.