Message from Chancellor Subbaswamy: ‘A Most Welcome Decision for our International Students’

After U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agreed to rescind draft regulations that would have severely harmed international students, including the 3,400 studying at UMass Amherst, Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy wrote an email on July 9 welcoming that decision and thanking the state attorney general for her leadership in fighting ICE’s original plan.

That email is as follows:

Dear Campus Community,

Earlier today in the Federal District Court in Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agreed to rescind draft regulations that would have severely harmed international students, including the 3,400 studying here at UMass Amherst. This is extraordinarily good news, and follows an inspiring outpouring of support that demonstrated our country’s appreciation of the invaluable contributions international students make to higher education and the social fabric of the entire nation.

Special thanks go to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who organized a national effort to fight ICE’s plan. UMass was involved in this effort every step of the way with several offices working diligently to help prepare a detailed and persuasive case for why international students bolster our communities and economic vitality.

We will remain vigilant in the battle to maintain educational opportunities. As I observed previously, I want to emphasize to our international students that you are welcome here and we will always do our utmost to support your academic aspirations as members of the UMass community.

Sincerely,

Kumble R. Subbaswamy

Chancellor