Recent Federal Actions on Student Visas

Dear Seattle University Community,

Seattle University is aware of reports that the U.S. government is cancelling some F-1 and J-1 student visas and F-1 and J-1 immigration records are being terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). 

At this time three recent SU graduates, each on post-completion Optional Practical Training (work authorization post graduating), have had their F-1 visas revoked and SEVIS status terminated. The International Student and Scholar Center (ISSC) has reached out to the recent graduates. Seattle University understands that students are not able to access SEVIS directly, and the ISSC is checking the database regularly and will notify any students or recent graduates whose records may be changed. Students who have questions about their status are encouraged to contact ISSC. Additionally, the law school is continuing to offer confidential consultations to non-citizen students with legal questions. For more information, please contact Professor Zaida Rivera. 

Seattle University treasures our international students as essential members of our academic community. Our Jesuit mission of empowering leaders for a just and humane world commits us to educating students who reflect the diversity of our globally interconnected community for life and leadership in a global society. We know this is a time of heightened anxiety for many in our community and want you to know that we are committed to the health and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff, particularly those most impacted by the present environment. If you need support, please visit our web page that is dedicated to Guidance on Recent Federal Executive Actions for resources and campus contacts to whom you can reach out.

We will continue to monitor federal actions that may affect members of our campus community. As a Jesuit Catholic institution, Seattle University remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting our non-citizen students. That commitment is grounded in the Catholic view that each of us is deserving of dignity and respect, regardless of immigration status. In the words of Pope Francis, “every human being possesses an inalienable dignity … and if the world truly belongs to everyone, then it matters little whether my neighbor was born in my country or elsewhere.”

Respectfully, 

Eduardo M. Peñalver 
President 

Laura Spitz 
Vice Provost for Global Engagement