By Aidan Bearden / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College officials alerted students, faculty, and staff on April 8 that a routine review of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) revealed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had terminated records for several current and former international students.

MVC was not warned that these SEVIS records would be terminated, and neither were the students. Although these terminations were a surprise to MVC, similar actions are happening to international students across the nation. Since the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University with a green card, the US State Department has revoked over 300 visas.

Since the email notifying students of visa revocations, international students at MVC have been worried about ICE.

Yesenia Farfan, the MVC Director of International Admissions, said, “I have had a few students who have come into my office, and they are stressed and have concerns, of course, about ICE.” 

Farfan also believes that these recent nationwide visa revocations and arrests will have an impact on MVC. “We have an [international student recruitment] agent from South Africa, and [they said] parents are worried,” Farfan said. “I think that we will see a lot of impact on our international enrollment.”

Following an email warning MVC students and faculty of SEVIS records terminations, they were also sent a plan for response. In this plan for response, students and faculty were told that various officers may come to campus for reasons such as apprehending individuals, unannounced inspections of employment verification records, and to perform administrative site visits for visa compliance reviews. 

The response plan also informed faculty and students of their rights if confronted by law enforcement or ICE. The plan informed students that the best way to protect their rights is to stay silent and ask to talk to a lawyer. 

Students were also advised that law enforcement and ICE cannot enter private areas, including their residence, without a proper warrant. However, law enforcement and ICE can enter public areas such as the MVC library, Viking Apparel store, main lobbies, and parking lots. 

“To our international students, faculty, and staff: We want to affirm that you are valued members of our community, and we appreciate your presence at MVC,” said MVC President Joe Parisi in an email. “During uncertain times, we rely on one another for support and strength.”

MVC wants students and faculty to alert public safety if they see ICE. To contact MVC public safety, call 660-815-5145.