From the President
Support for Our International Students
April 11, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As has been widely reported, the federal government has been terminating the F-1 visa records of some students nationwide. This now includes six international students attending De Anza College.
As we know, our international students have responsibilities, like all of our students, to remain in good standing. However, in virtually all of the cases, the official reason for termination was vague, and students have said they were unaware that their authorization to stay in the United States had been revoked.
We know that this issue is causing great anxiety for our international students. Those in our International Student Programs office have been working hard to assist, checking student records daily in collaboration with our Foothill and district colleagues, and proactively notifying and working with students whose records have been terminated.
ISP staff have also emailed all international students, reminding them of the ways to maintain their legal F-1 status in the U.S., and of documents they should carry confirming their legal status. ISP staff have also established extended drop-in hours and have been promptly responding to all students with concerns. As with all of our students, international students have access to counseling through Mental Health and Wellness.
We have also been taking action as a district. Chancellor Lambert has met with Foothill-De Anza's attorney and an attorney for Santa Clara County, and has spoken with staff in the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The district has also signed onto an amicus brief on this issue through the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.
We will continue to monitor and respond to the situation and will do everything possible to support all of our students, international and domestic, as well as our campus employees. Each member of the college contributes to the diversity, vitality and excellence of our campus and our community. Thank you in advance for your patience and grace as we continue to maneuver through this ever-changing landscape.
In unity,
Omar
Omar Torres, Ed.D.
President, De Anza College