Updates related to federal orders, policies and regulations

In January 2025, new presidential and congressional leadership began issuing memos, regulations and executive orders, including some with the potential to impact our work and community at University of Michigan-Dearborn. The implications of many of these measures are unclear and will likely depend on how they are interpreted and applied, both by agencies and, ultimately, the courts. The university will post information and resources to this page, and we ask that students, faculty and staff check back often for updates.

Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS)

Q: Can I travel internationally if I am on a visa?

If you are considering travelling internationally, you should be aware that the Department of State and the Customs and Border Protection unit of the Department of Homeland Security have increased the level of review international visitors face at U.S. embassies and consulates, at airports, and border crossing posts. If you plan to travel outside the U.S., you should carefully consider and fully understand important immigration and security regulations to ensure that you can leave and re-enter the U.S. More info on travel and reenter the U.S. More detailed information is available at the Office of International Affairs (OIA) Important Updates page.

Q: Are individuals who have their visas revoked required to leave the country?

A visa revocation is not the same as a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record termination. A visa revocation, by itself, does not require an individual to depart the USA. However, a SEVIS termination by the Department of Homeland Security means an individual no longer holds valid F-1 status. In the event of a SEVIS termination there is no grace period and individuals will be advised to exit the country immediately.

Students who receive notification regarding visa revocation should notify the OIA immediately.

Q: Are federal immigration enforcement officials allowed on campus?

Campus is largely open to the public and, as such, law enforcement officers may enter public areas without a warrant. Areas that are locked, monitored or require a university-issued ID card, however, generally require law enforcement officers to have a judicial warrant or subpoena in order to obtain access. It also includes other spaces with concerns for privacy, safety and operational needs, including, but not limited to, administrative or faculty offices, locker rooms, classrooms and laboratories.

Q: What should I do if I see immigration enforcement authorities on campus?

Do Not Interfere:
- Do not obstruct the actions of law enforcement officers.
Notify the University:
- Contact the Department of Public Safety and Security (having the number below saved in your phone is good practice)
  - 313-593-5333
- As always, in an emergency, call 911.
You have the right to document the interaction. However, you should maintain a safe distance. You may not resist or otherwise interfere with the actions of law enforcement.

Q: What should I do if I am presented with a subpoena, an arrest warrant or a search warrant?

Do not accept a subpoena on behalf of another person or on behalf of a university office, even if you are employed by that office.
If you are presented with an arrest or search warrant, ask the agent or officer to please wait patiently so that you may contact university authorities to review the warrant and provide assistance.
Then, contact the Office of the General Counsel at 734-764-0304 or DPSS.

Q: What should I do if federal immigration enforcement officials proceed with an enforcement action without listening to requests to wait?

Do Not Interfere:
- Do not obstruct the actions of law enforcement officers.
Notify the University:
- Contact the Department of Public Safety and Security
  - 313-593-5333
- As always, in an emergency, call 911.
You have the right to document the interaction. However, you should maintain a safe distance. You may not resist or otherwise interfere with the actions of law enforcement.

Q: What should I do if federal immigration enforcement officials attempt to take me into custody?

For your own safety, do not resist arrest.
You have protected legal rights that you may invoke, the most important of which are your right to remain silent and to request legal counsel.
You should never lie about your immigration status, as that carries serious penalties.
Do not sign anything or make any decisions without an attorney, and never sign a document without reading it, understanding it and knowing the consequences.
You have the right to a phone call, which should be made to a trusted friend, family member or attorney.
It is advisable to have important phone numbers memorized.

Q: I am in the U.S. as an F-1 student or J-1 student or scholar. Are there basic steps I should take, such as making sure I carry identification?

If you are in the U.S. as an F-1 student or J-1 student or scholar, here are a few important points to remember.

REPORT CHANGES OF ADDRESS: If you move, be sure to via your 51��Ƶ-Dearborn student portal within 10 days of moving.
CARRY YOUR I-94 RECORD: By law, foreign nationals 18 years and older are required to carry proof of their immigration status ("registration") with them. Your Most Recent I-94 serves as this registration. Consider saving a screenshot of your Most Recent I-94 (not your travel history) on your phone for ease of use. If you would prefer not to provide access to your phone, you may carry printed copies of your immigration documents.

These two requirements may not seem important, but the penalties for not complying with them can be severe, under long-standing laws. The university’s International Center also recommends saving a screenshot of your current I-20 or DS-2019 to your phone so that you will always have it available. You may also want to save a screenshot of your passport ID page as well.

Given the possibility of increased scrutiny due to recent Trump administration executive orders, the U-M International Center strongly recommends that you review and follow the guidance in the “WHAT YOU CAN DO” section of the . Please also review the . In addition, further information is made available at the OIA Important Updates page.
It is still the case, as of April 9, that no travel restrictions (travel bans) are currently in effect although the current administration has set up a 60-day review process to identify countries that may be subject to a later travel ban.

How will I know if my visa has been revoked?

If your visa is revoked, you will receive a notification from the Department of State or the U.S. embassy or consulate where you applied for your visa. The notification may go to the email address you provided when you applied for your visa. This notice is only going to the student. The Office of International Affairs is not receiving this information.

What should I do if I receive a Visa Revocation Letter?

Please contact the Office of International Affairs to inform them immediately so an advisor can provide guidance and recommendations. If your visa has been revoked, it is very important to consult an Office of International Affairs advisor without delay.

How will I know if my SEVIS record has been terminated?

If your SEVIS record is terminated, you will be notified by the Office of International Affairs. The Office of International Affairs is reviewing SEVIS records every day to identify any SEVIS records that have been terminated by the Department of Homeland Security so that we can reach out to any impacted students right away.

What should I do if the Office of International Affairs notifies me that my SEVIS record has been terminated?

If you receive this notification, please be sure to engage with the Office of International Affairs immediately so an advisor can help you decide on next steps. If your SEVIS record has been terminated, you no longer have F-1 status so it is very important to consult an OIA advisor without delay.

Is there any way for me to check my SEVIS record myself?

As mentioned, the Office of International Affairs is checking for SEVIS terminations on a continual basis and informing those who are impacted. If you have not heard from us, there is no reason for concern. However, students are always welcome to visit the OIA or to contact the OIA via email or phone during regular office hours.

Q: What kind of support is available to students if they want legal counsel?

Students can contact (734-763-9920) to connect with an outside immigration attorney for a free meeting and consultation.

Q: I am a student, faculty or staff member and I have questions. Where can I go for help?

International students and scholars whose immigration and visa documents are sponsored by the university can contact the following offices.

Office of International Affairs – Dearborn (313-583-6600)

International employees can contact (734-763-4081)

For those looking for an outside resource, the is one of the leading advocacy organizations in the U.S. dedicated to advancing and defending the rights and opportunities of immigrants and their loved ones.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Q: Can I include pronouns in my email and Zoom signatures? Do I need to remove these?

You may include pronouns in your email and Zoom signatures. There is no reason to remove pronouns if they are currently in your signatures.

Q: Can we refer to our campus as diverse, welcoming and/or inclusive?

Yes. Referring to our campus community as diverse, inclusive and welcoming are accurate descriptors and we can continue to use these words to describe our campus, faculty, staff and students.

Q: Do we need to remove or edit references to diversity, equity and inclusion on our website or alter any existing marketing materials based on the executive orders?

All programs, events, activities, offices, organizations and other aspects of campus life should be inclusive of all people. If any campus-related offerings are exclusive in any way, they must be reimagined and related web content and marketing materials should be edited accordingly.

Questions in these areas should be directed to the Office of External Relations.

Q: Are there campus events that should be canceled or adjusted in any way?

If the event is not exclusive in any way, it may continue. If you have any questions about a specific event, please contact your dean, director or department head for clarification.

Q: Does the Office of Holistic Excellence need to alter or adjust its mission in any way?

In February 2024, the creation of the Office of Holistic Excellence (OHE) was announced. This office was charged with amplifying the campus’ commitment to building a welcoming and all-embracing culture and providing enriching experiences for our community.

OHE will remain at the forefront of promoting an environment where all students, faculty, and staff feel a sense of belonging and flourish. It will continue to support the free expression of diverse thoughts and viewpoints, as well as encourage open and respectful dialogue. The office’s efforts adhere to all applicable, appropriate and relevant federal laws.

Q: Are any academic programs or offerings impacted?

After a thorough review of all our academic programs, we are confident that they fully adhere to federal laws and guidelines.

Q: Are student organizations like the Black Student Union, the Society of Women Engineers or the Muslim Student Association impacted by the guidance?

No. All student organizations are open to all members of the student body and are not exclusive in any way.

RESEARCH

Q: What impact will the decision by the NIH to reduce indirect cost payments have on my research?

A federal judge has halted the NIH effort to institute an indirect cost rate cap of 15% for new and existing grants, leaving a great deal of uncertainty about the impact the NIH action will have on research. That said, federal agency program officers have the authority to clarify whether a new federal directive applies to a grant. If a principal investigator (PI) has not heard directly from either the agency that sponsors their work or the officer who oversees the funding program, and there is a question about what directives apply, they should reach out to their program officer.

Q: Should I stop or alter my research activities based on the new federal actions?

Before incorporating new federal directives or changing policy into your work processes, researchers should consult the assigned member in the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP).

Some federal agencies are providing agency-wide guidance and/or guidance directly to individual researchers and institutions. Individual program officers, or the equivalent, have the authority to offer guidance about what their specific programs allow. Be aware that program officers can pursue their mission in different ways – with the result being differences in directives across programs within the same agency. Guidance offered by one program officer in an agency may not apply to other programs within that agency. If you have questions, reach out to the relevant program officer or equivalent directly.

Q: What should I do if I receive a stop-work order for activities funded by federal grants?

A principal investigator (PI) or research administrator who receives a stop-work order directly should immediately contact 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Vice Provost for Research Armen Zakarian.

For more information please refer to .

Q: I have questions about the new temporary research funding program.

A: U-M is initiating a new research funding program that provides temporary support for qualified researchers who have received federal grant and contract stop-work orders. Effective immediately, the program applies to all three U-M campuses, including Michigan Medicine, according to an email from U-M leaders on March 12, 2025.

FINANCIAL AID

Q: Have federal student financial assistance programs been impacted by the executive orders?

No. Federal student financial assistance programs, such as grants and loans, have not been impacted by the executive orders or other federal actions.

Q: Will Income-driven Repayment plans be available when I begin to repay my federal loans?

The U.S. Department of Education has temporarily taken down the Income-driven Repayment (IDR) online application on . Borrowers should check for the latest updates on the availability of IDR plans and the online application.

Q: Will the announced staffing changes at the US Department of Education impact my financial aid?

At this time, there have been no announced changes to student financial assistance programs. The 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Office of Financial Aid is working to ensure you continue to have the funds you need.

IMMIGRATION

Q: What should I do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) comes to campus:

ICE has the right to come onto our campus
In areas where they need a warrant to enter, one will be shown
All faculty and staff should call public safety should any matters arise in their classrooms, labs or office
It is important that you do not interfere with law enforcement

Q: If I have a passport or green card, should I carry these documents on my person?

ICE has been targeting select individuals so far
People should continue to do what they are doing now until we learn more

Q: What should I do if I see immigration enforcement authorities on campus?

Do Not Interfere:
- Do not obstruct the actions of law enforcement officers.
Notify Public Safety at 313-593-5333
- As always, in an emergency, call 911.
Document:
- You have the right to document the interaction. However, you should maintain a safe distance. You may not resist or otherwise interfere with the actions of law enforcement.

Q: What kind of support is available to students if they are taken into custody?

Students can contact (734-763-9920) to connect with an outside immigration attorney for a free meeting and consultation.

Q: I am a student, faculty or staff member and I have questions. Where can I go for help?

International students and scholars whose immigration and visa documents are sponsored by the university can contact the following offices:

Office of International Affairs – Dearborn (313-583-6600)

International employees can contact (734-763-4081)

For those looking for an outside resources:

Information by topic:

March 24, 2025

An appeals court lifted a nationwide preliminary injunction that had been issued by a federal judge Feb. 21 prohibiting the Trump administration from carrying out the “certification” and “enforcement threat” provisions in executive orders and . The decision from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals allows the orders to be enforced while a proceeds. The university continues to monitor the situation closely.

March 4, 2025

The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights issued a and shared a “” document Feb. 28 to address questions related to an earlier that described the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause of the U. S. Constitution, and other relevant authorities. The 18-page FAQ offers additional detail, saying, for example, programs focused on particular cultures do not violate Title VI, as long they are open to all students. Likewise, the FAQ states that observances such as Black History Month, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or similar events would also not violate the law. The university continues to review information and monitor the situation closely.

February 26, 2025

A federal judge issued a Feb. 21 temporarily blocking key provisions of the executive orders . Among other things, the injunction prevents agencies named in the lawsuit from taking actions that change or pause relevant contracts and obligations. The university continues to monitor the situation closely.

Message from the president:

February 17. 2025

A Dear Colleague Letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights interprets Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision striking down race-based affirmative action in college admissions, to apply to other university policies and programs beyond admissions decisions. The letter states that “treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal.” The letter further states that federal law prohibits the use of race “in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing,
graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.” It also states that “[a]though some programs may appear neutral on their face, a closer look reveals that they are, in fact, motivated by racial considerations.” The letter directs schools and universities to comply within 14 days and notes that those that fail to do so face potential
loss of federal funding.

The university is working to assess the potential impact of the letter.

January 27, 2025

Key source documents

Executive Order:
Executive Order:

The administration has issued executive orders regarding DEI that include a number of elements. “” directs the Attorney General to provide “recommendations for enforcing Federal civil-rights laws and taking other appropriate measures to encourage the private sector to end illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI.”

The order attempts to classify institutions receiving federal student aid (Title IV funding) as federal subcontractors and directs the Justice and Education departments to issue guidance that identifies “the measures and practices required to comply” with the Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard University case. This guidance expands the application of the Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action to areas beyond admissions.

The order also directs each agency to identify “up to nine potential civil compliance investigations” of organizations including publicly traded corporations, large nonprofits and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars.

“” requires federal agencies to terminate “equity-related” grants or contracts, and all DEI or DEIA performance requirements for employees, contractors, or grantees. Agencies are also directed to provide a listing of all “Federal contractors who have provided DEI training or DEI training materials to agency or department employees,” and all “Federal grantees who received Federal funding to provide or advance DEI, DEIA, or ‘environmental justice’ programs, services, or activities since January 20, 2021.”

The university is monitoring this situation closely and working to identify any university offices or contracts that could be subject to “.”

April 10, 2025

On Friday, April 4, a federal judge issued a the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH), from implementing (NOT-OD-25-068). NOT-OD-25-068 would have limited certain funding that supports research at universities and academic medical centers.

The ruling by Judge Angel Kelley, of the Federal District Court in Massachusetts, made permanent an earlier temporary order that blocked the NIH from instituting the cap of 15% on indirect costs for new and existing grants that was described in NOT-OD-25-068. The new rate would have replaced University of Michigan’s current negotiated rate of 56%. The federal government is likely to appeal.

March 12, 2025

A federal judge has issued a nationwide that blocks the National Institutes of Health from instituting an indirect cost rate cap of 15% for new and existing grants. The new rate would have replaced University of Michigan’s current negotiated rate, which is 56%. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley had temporarily blocked the cuts in February and, on March 5, issued a preliminary injunction that put the cuts on hold for a longer period, while legal challenges to the cuts proceed.

February 26, 2025

A federal judge on Feb. 21 extended the that blocks the National Institutes of Health from instituting an indirect cost rate cap of 15% for new and existing grants. The new rate would have replaced University of Michigan’s current negotiated rate, which is 56%. The temporary order will remain in place pending a decision whether to issue a preliminary injunction that would block the Trump administration change from taking effect while current court cases opposing the orders move forward.

Feb 25, 2025

Message from OVPR:

Feb 14, 2025

Message from the president:

Feb 11, 2025

Message from OVPR:

Feb 8, 2025

Message from OVPR:

Feb 4, 2025

(Jan 30, 2025)
OMB Memo: (Jan 28, 2025)
OMB Memo: (January 28, 2025)
OMB Memo: (Jan 27, 2025)

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Jan. 29 a directive that froze spending on federal grants. The had been issued Jan. 27 and ordered a “temporary pause [on] all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders…” OMB later released a subsequent to clarify the scope of the directive, stressing that any federal program not implicated by the president’s recent executive orders is not subject to the freeze.

The university is monitoring the situation and asks that principal investigators continue to forward any directives, memoranda, or stop-work orders they receive to their school/department research administrators for action.

HHS Memo:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on January 21 issued a pausing public communications and issuance of documents. Separately, HHS has instructed staff to suspend all work-related travel. HHS and related agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have also suspended those HHS committees that are subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). This includes NIH study sections and NIH Advisory Councils.

The university is monitoring this situation closely.

March 6, 2025

Federal funding will remain in place for now for hospitals that provide gender-transition treatments for people under the age of 19, according to a issued by a federal judge March 4. The injunction paused impacts related to the executive order , which directed federal agencies to ensure grant funding for research or education does not support “gender ideology,” defined by the executive order as the idea that “males can identify as and thus become women and vice versa.” The injunction also paused the executive order , which aims to strip federal medical and research grants from hospitals that provide gender-affirming medical care to youths.

February 6, 2025

Transgender athletes

The order states that “women’s sports are reserved for women” and directs the U.S. Department of Education to “protect all-female athletic opportunities and all-female locker rooms.” It prioritizes enforcement actions against educational institutions that “deny female students an equal opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events by requiring them, in the women’s category, to compete with or against or to appear unclothed before males.” It further directs federal departments and agencies to review grants to educational programs and rescind funding to programs that fail to comply.

The order directs the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to convene State Attorneys General to identify best practices in “defining and enforcing equal opportunities for women.” It also directs the U.S. Secretary of State to “use all appropriate and available measures” to see that the International Olympic Committee likewise determines eligibility “according to sex and not gender identity.”

The university is assessing the potential impact of this order.

Jan. 31, 2025

Executive Order:
Executive Order:
Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter:

The administration has issued an executive order, , stating “it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female” which is grounded in an individual’s biological classification at birth. Under the order, all agencies are directed to use the term “sex” not “gender” in federal policies and documents and federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology.

A second executive order, , states “it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another.” The order directs the head of each executive department or agency that provides research or education grants to medical institutions, including medical schools and hospitals, to ensure institutions “end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”

The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued to K-12 schools and institutions of higher education advising educators and administrators that OCR will enforce Title IX using the interpretation of “sex” to mean “the objective, immutable characteristic of being born male or female.”

The university is assessing the potential impact of these actions.

Updated: April 15, 2025

Note: much of this information was created and written by 51��Ƶ-Ann Arbor. This information provides a clear overview of the issues impacting all universities, including 51��Ƶ-Dearborn. In many instances university policies and guidance encompass all three campuses. This site will continue to serve as a blended area of Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint content to inform and guide the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn campus.

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