Legal Resources for International Students

Immigration Concerns and Requests

International students facing immigration problems should speak with an International Student Advisor to explore options and clarify immigration regulations. Some issues and inquiries will require the assistance of an immigration attorney. In these cases, an International Student Advisor will recommend the assistance of legal counsel.

If you wish to speak with a lawyer only for guidance, make it very clear that you only want to pay for a consultation. You are under no obligation to use the lawyer’s services after the consultation meeting unless contracts have been drafted, agreed upon, and signed.

Choosing an Immigration Attorney

  • Immigration law is federal, not state-specific. You may work with any immigration attorney located in the United States.
  • Find a lawyer who has knowledge of your current legal status or request; immigration lawyers usually have specific areas of focus and may not be as familiar with your current status. 
  • Fees are often correlated with quality of service. Make sure you understand what is included in the services for which you are paying. 
  • Make sure you feel comfortable disclosing confidential information, including potential status violations, with your attorney. After signing a contract with a lawyer, everything you tell them is confidential.
  • Be prepared: Have all of your questions ready before you consult with the lawyer, and bring all of your immigration-related documents with you.
  • Lawyer vs Attorney: A lawyer has completed formal legal education. They are experts in the law and can provide legal advice or research, but they are unlicensed and can't represent you in court. An attorney has passed is licensed and are legally authorized to draft binding documents, negotiate settlements, and represent you in court.

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Following U.S. Law

Everyone present in the United States is subject to U.S. law. While the laws of the United States may be quite different from laws in other countries, international visitors should note that ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse for breaking the law. An International Student Advisor will provide basic advice about legal rights.

According to U.S. law, any person arrested including non-immigrants must be informed of their rights by a police officer and be allowed at least one telephone call. Additionally, anyone arrested has the right to consult a lawyer free of charge before making any statements to the police. Emergency Contact/Know-Your-Rights cards are available at the International Office. 

If you have been arrested and/or charged with a crime, please immediately report the incident to the International Office to determine the impact on your immigration status.

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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

An educational institution may not refuse to report information concerning an F-1 non-immigrant student or a J-1 non-immigrant Exchange Visitor on the basis of FERPA. This waiver of FERPA both authorizes and requires an educational institution to report information concerning F-1 or J-1 non-immigrants via SEVIS to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.

If you have any questions about what information the International Office is required to report, please contact .

Visit Family Educational Rights and Pricacy Act (FERPA) for more information.