International Employees

This is a summary of information, communication and resources provided by the Universities of Wisconsin System & UW-Madison in recent weeks:

• UNIVERSITIES OF WISCONSIN INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES (Updated Regularly): This page contains resources that may assist you. The list is not exhaustive and is meant for informational purposes only. The Universities of Wisconsin do not endorse or adopt the viewpoint of any non-Universities of Wisconsin resources on this page. Our UW universities provide different services to international students, faculty, and staff.
  •  UW La Crosse:
    • F1 & J1 Students & Scholars: It is important you contact UWL International Education & Engagement (IEE) for assistance and questions.
    • UWL Faculty & Staff: Contact Amy Hewitt (ahewitt@uwlax.edu) in UWL Human Resources.

• AVOIDING FRAUD & SCAMS: Be aware of potential scams and other external efforts (UW Madison resource) to exploit members of our international communities may be occurring in Wisconsin, similar to events seen in national media. If you have any interactions with federal law enforcement officers or anyone trying to get information about your situation or status, please report it to UWL University Police at 608.789.9999 (emergency) or 608.789.9000 (non-emergency).
  •  If pressured, please respond with “I need to check with my PDSO/DSO (for F1 visa holders) or ARO/RO (J-1 exchange visa holders) on campus.” If it is legitimate, they will understand. If being scammed, they may hang-up on you or start to yell that you are in some kind of trouble. This is a scare tactic.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

International students, and scholars planning to travel outside the United States should carefully consider the complexities of U.S. immigration laws. The Universities of Wisconsin urges international visa holders to consider potential future policy changes—such as possible travel bans currently being reported in the media—that could impact their return.

The following FAQs are based on currently available information and do not relate to any specific situation. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own decisions. These FAQs are designed to help you make an informed decision.

Credit to UW-Madison International Student Services and University of Colorado-Boulder for their work on this information.

FAQs for international students, and scholars include:

•  Travel
•  Visa revocation/LPR status rescission
•  SEVIS record termination
•  Federal agent request for access to location, information, or records

Entering the United States: UW Madison International Safety & Security

Potential US Government Travel Restrictions – UW Madison International Safety & Security

UNDERSTANDING YOUR RIGHTS

• Universities of Wisconsin: Communication to UW Campus regarding agents visiting facilities 
• Know Your Rights “Red Card” (available in several languages) 
• Know Your Rights: If ICE Visits Your Home 
• U.S. State Department: Rights and Protection for Temporary Workers

LEGAL REPRESENTATION & RELATED RESOURCES 

• AILA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, has a search tool to help find immigration attorneys. There are additional resources and information here that may help you find an attorney if needed.
•  Information about understanding your rights can be found on the Resources on Immigration Issues webpage.

ADDITIONAL CAMPUS RESOURCES

FACULTY/STAFF ONLY: UWL works in partnership with UW-Madison's International Faculty & Staff Services to support these work authorization visas. Please contact Amy Hewitt (ahewitt@uwlax.edu) in UW-La Crosse Human Resources &/or the UW-Madison Human Resources website for further information. 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• If you, as a Faculty member, have students inquire about their resources, please point them to the International Education & Engagement (IEE). Please note that this department is only legally allowed to provide visa and immigration guidance for those below:
  •  Non-immigrant F-1 student status
  •  Non-immigrant J-1 student status
  •  Non-immigrant J-1 Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar status

Depending on the complexity of your case, IEE may recommend you speak with an immigration attorney.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse sponsors foreign nationals in tenure-track faculty positions for their employment based work authorization visa (H-1B) and employment based immigrant petition (I-140). UWL works in partnership with UW-Madison's International Faculty & Staff Services to support these work authorization visas. Please refer to the UW-Madison Human Resources website for further information.