Immigration

Eligible Ohio State students should schedule an appointment with a Student Legal Services attorney to discuss their specific legal matter to determine the scope of services provided.  Types of issues covered may include: 

• Adjustment of Status
• Victims of Crime
• Visas
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• Naturalization Citizenship
• Green Cards
• Family Based
• DACA
• Asylum
• Employment based / Natural Interest Waivers (NIW)

Student Legal Services cannot represent students in removal proceedings or in federal court. We can, however, advise students about the options in their specific legal situation and refer them to other resources for representation.

The ACLU and National Immigration Law Center provide information to immigrants, including interactions with law enforcement agencies.

While U.S. citizens are not required to carry proof of citizenship, they can apply for a U.S. Passport Book, which does provide proof of U.S. citizenship.  You may also consider applying for a Passport Card, which also provides proof of citizenship and may be easier to carry with you.  

• Past involvement in protests or other political activities (petitions, social media posts, etc.).
• Prior criminal charges for any offense, including misdemeanors for minor traffic violations and other offenses.  This includes charges that have been dismissed, sealed, or expunged from your record. 
• This list is subject to change and may expand.  

• While consulates have emailed some students about visa revocation, not all students have received email communications regarding revocation. You should monitor all email accounts, including and particularly the email account associated with your visa application. 
• Visa status can be checked directly and should be monitored by all students who hold F-1 or J-1 visas: https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx 
• The Ohio State University, Office of Internal Affairs is alerting students whose record has been terminated in SEVIS.

Possibly. Once a person’s visa is revoked, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can choose whether to start the legal process of deporting them, called “removal proceedings.” If ICE starts removal proceedings against a person, they can also choose whether to arrest and detain the person during the course of the proceedings, which can last months or years.

• If detained, you may be removed from Ohio and placed in a facility outside of Ohio. While you may request release in exchange for paying a bond, that process can take several weeks or more. Release is not guaranteed.
• Reports of students arrested and detained thus far have been limited to those involved in political activity and students with alcohol-related driving charges. However, this is subject to change and may expand. 
• If formally deported, you cannot re-enter the U.S. for 10 years.

Contact Student Legal Services to schedule an appointment.

• If you are an Ohio State student, call or text 614-247-5853 or email studentlegal@osu.edu.
• If you are a Bowling Green student, call or text (419) 372-2951.
• If you are a Kent State student, call or text (330) 672-9550.
• If you are a Wright State student, call or text (937) 775-5857.

Student Legal Services offices are a confidential resource, not a department of the University. Student Legal Services will not share your information with anyone without your permission.  

Student Legal Services cannot represent students in removal proceedings or in federal court. We can, however, advise students about the options in their specific legal situation and refer them to other resources for representation.

• If your visa has been revoked and/or your status has been terminated: If you leave the U.S. voluntarily before you would be detained, you will be safe from immigration enforcement, but you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. without a new visa. Getting a new visa is unlikely at this time. If you choose to leave the U.S., you should assume that you will not be able to return.
• If your visa has not been revoked and your status has not been terminated: You may still travel and re-enter the U.S. with a valid visa and current I-20, but international travel is a risk. Your visa could be revoked while you are outside of the U.S., barring you from re-entry. Even with valid documents, there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to re-enter the U.S. Students with any history of criminal or traffic charges or any involvement in political activity should not leave the U.S. unless necessary.

• If your visa has been revoked and/or your status has been terminated: Travel within the U.S. is permissible, but you risk arrest and detention if encountering U.S. government agents, such as at the airports. 
• If your visa has not been revoked and your status has not been terminated: Yes, you may travel within the U.S.

No! Neither the U.S. government nor the University will ask you for money or other things of value (such as gift cards or bitcoin) in exchange for keeping or reinstating your visa or your status. If you receive any communication to this effect, it is a scam and should be disregarded. 

• Know your rights if you are contacted by immigration officers: The ACLU and National Immigration Law Center provide information to immigrants, including interactions with law enforcement agencies.
• Consider signing a Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA) so that a trusted friend or family member can manage your financial affairs if you have to leave the U.S.  To create an FPOA, if you are a student at the following universities, you can make an appointment with Student Legal Services.  
  Ohio State: Schedule an appointment at https://studentlegal.osu.edu and use the New-Healthcare POA & Wills schedule
  Bowling Green: Call or text (419) 372-2951 to schedule an appointment.
  Kent State: Visit https://www.kent.edu/sls/make-appointment. 
  Wright State: Call (937) 775-5857 to schedule an appointment.