Students who are enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities and do not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency are vulnerable to shifts in federal policies. Recent mass deportations of undocumented migrants, revoking previously afforded protections, revoking visas of some international students, and the threatened elimination of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program have significantly impacted undocumented and international college students. With leadership from Nienhusser, a team from the University of Connecticut will partner with the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to identify institutional policies and practices to mitigate disruptions in the educational pathways of undocumented and international college students. Nienhusser and colleagues are rapidly synthesizing research and engaging in focus groups and interviews to ensure institutions can minimize disruptions, implement supportive student-centered policies and practices, and maintain strong persistence and graduation rates for these students and their institutions. This research will guide the development of a suite of resources about campus preparedness plans, which will be disseminated through webinars, campus visits, and at Alliance meetings.
A team at the University of Connecticut will collaborate with the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to identify institutional policies and practices to mitigate disruptions in the educational pathways of undocumented and international college students.
