Our Response to New ICE Rule
The New School has long touted our standing as an institution of robust diversity with students hailing from over 116 countries. This international diversity has long been a hallmark of our strength. The diversity of our students ensures that we do not participate in a single origin story or narrative, and helps to form the community that we know as The New School. To be sure, we understand that diversity is only one element of inclusion and that the structural work that we must do to ensure that we are an equitable, inclusive, and socially just institution continues.
Our community has been and continues to be under siege. The latest of these attacks is in the form of the proposed new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student Exchange Visa Program (SEVP) rule that threatens our international students. We recognize the angst, uncertainty, and threat that this rule poses. The response, however, must not be the singular burden of our international students. The intersectional nature of true equity and inclusion requires that we stand and struggle together. We will not allow the targeted attacks on our community to segment or distract us from the unifying work that must be done to create an equitable and inclusive institution for all of our students. We stand together as a community to respond.
We are working across the university on strategies and solutions to defend and meet the needs of all our students. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and with equal fervor, we are identifying solutions that prioritize the health and well-being of our community, which is inextricable from our commitment to ensuring that we are an equitable and inclusive community. To prevent the implementation of the proposed ICE rule, we are exploring a range of legislative and advocacy options that are based on the principles of defending our students, prioritizing health and safety, and ensuring that all of our students have the equitable access to continue their education. We are also exploring legal options, including filing an Amicus Brief to support the Harvard and MIT lawsuit challenging the ICE SEVP rule. Simultaneously, we are making practical plans to protect and support our students in the event the proposed rule is upheld and implemented to ensure that our students may continue their education.
We are stronger together.
What you can do to help:
- Contact your local, state, and federal officials and demand support for international students.
- Find Your Representatives:
- Contact your state Attorney General to advocate for legal action against this rule.
- Donate your time and resources to organizations that support international human rights.
- Stay informed and participate in dialogues within your community.
- Support Sanctuary Working Group, a student-led group advocating for the unmet needs of non-US citizens at The New School, contact sanctuary@newschool.edu to learn more.
Contact Us
The Office is committed to collaboration and partnership to address and support the critical issues of equity, inclusion, and social justice throughout The New School community. For questions or more information contact eisj@newschool.edu.
Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice Leadership