International Students frequently have questions about their immigration status and right to work in the U.S. In addition, students from other countries often have difficulties with landlords or merchants who may try to take advantage of their lack of knowledge about how business is conducted in the U.S. International students may be involved in domestic disputes which can result in a restraining order and an order to vacate the home. Other international students have been arrested for shoplifting or other violations of law, resulting in the necessity of a court appearance. Student Legal Services can provide information about the U.S. legal system, and can help you to protect your rights. We can also provide advice about immigration law and can refer you to an immigration specialist for more complex problems. Our office has helped international students with a wide variety of problems and concerns, usually at no charge. Here are some recent issues we have encountered when assisting international students.

Employment Problems

• Your on campus job is not sufficient to support your family. Can you work off campus with your student visa?
• You are about to graduate and want to remain in the U.S. How can you change your immigration status?

Family Problems

• You married a U.S. citizen but the relationship is not working out. You both want to get divorced but fear that it will jeopardize your immigration status.
• You are a permanent resident and want to bring your parents over to live with you. Can you obtain a visa for this?
• Do you know that you can be arrested for threatening your spouse?

Car Problems

• You recently purchased a car which is not working well. Do you know that you have a legal right to return the car to the seller if you follow certain steps?
• Your car needs repairs or routine maintenance. Do you know that when you take a car to a garage you have the right to an estimate? The repair shop cannot exceed that estimate without your approval and you have a right to all parts which have been replaced in your automobile.
• Do you know that the mechanic must complete the repairs by the date promised, which is generally the same day you bring the car in?

Driving Problems

• Under what circumstances you can drive in Massachusetts with your license from your home country? What do you need to do in order to obtain a driver's license in Massachusetts?
• Do you know that it is illegal to drive a car which is unregistered, uninsured or uninspected?
• Do you know that you are not covered to drive outside of Massachusetts if you purchase only the absolute minimum amount of insurance which the law requires?
• Do you know that your insurance rates may be unfavorably affected if you are determined to be at fault in an automobile accident or if you receive any traffic tickets? However, there is an easy procedure to obtain a hearing so that you can contest traffic tickets. Many students have successfully challenged tickets with advice from this office.

Sweepstakes and Prizes

• Do you know that many contests, sweepstakes and prize notifications are not legitimate, and are really just an attempt to sell overpriced goods of inferior quality?

Problems with purchases by mail order and telephone

• Many students have ordered computers through catalogues but have never received the computer or their money back.
• If you charge a mail order purchase to a credit card and you have a problem with the seller, the credit card company has an obligation to investigate your complaint, and cannot charge you while the investigation is taking place.
• If you have ever been tempted to respond to an advertisement for cheap airline tickets home, you need to take some simple precautions first.

Landlord Problems

• Do you know your rights as a tenant?
• Do you know that your landlord cannot turn you out of your apartment without first obtaining a court order of eviction, and that this procedure takes many weeks?
• Do you know that your landlord is obligated to keep your apartment in good and safe condition and to provide you essential services such as heat and hot water?

Criminal Law

• What are your rights if you are arrested by the police? How can your immigration status could be affected by a criminal conviction?

Discrimination

• Do you know that it is illegal for employers, landlords, merchants, the government or the university to discriminate against you because of your race or national origin and that there are legal procedures to protect you from unlawful discrimination?

University Problems

• Do you know that your failure to use quotation marks in a paper is considered "academic dishonesty", a form of cheating, which can result in a hearing before the academic honesty board and failure of the course?
• Do you know that even though you might be considered a resident of Massachusetts for purposes of driving or taxes, if you hold a non immigrant visa, you are not eligible for in state classification for purposes of UMass tuition?