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 what documents you should carry with you and how to handle interactions with law enforcement officers.
• In Ohio, you must provide your name, address, and date of birth if asked by a law enforcement officer. You do NOT have to answer any other questions, including questions about your immigration status. After you identify yourself, you should tell the officer that you are exercising your right to remain silent, and then refuse to answer any other questions.

• If detained, you may be removed from Ohio and placed in a facility outside of Ohio. You should be given the opportunity to call a family member, friend, or your lawyer. Memorize their phone numbers.
• You may request release in exchange for paying a bond, but that process can take several weeks or more. Release is not guaranteed.

• If you have valid travel documents, including a passport and U.S. visa, and if you have no criminal record or history of immigration violations, then it is probably safe to travel abroad and return to the U.S. Re-entry is never guaranteed, however, so leaving the country always involves some risk that you might not be able to return as planned.
• If you are not currently in legal immigration status, do not have a valid visa in your passport, or have a criminal record, you should schedule an appointment with Student Legal Services before planning to travel outside the U.S. 

• If you have valid immigration status, such as F-1 student status or a green card, or if you have a pending application for certain immigration benefits, such as asylum, then you can travel freely within the U.S.
• If you do not have current, valid immigration status and do not have a pending application for such status, travel within the U.S. is possible, but risky. You risk arrest and detention if you encounter U.S. government agents, such as on the roads or at the airport. 

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 your visa, avoiding arrest, or staying in the country. 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.