Federal Actions: All Updates
UMass Amherst is committed to protecting the privacy, wellbeing, and safety of its community. This page collects all the updates made in response to changes in the federal landscape.
You can also visit the main federal actions page for additional resources.
April 23, 2025 — The Office of the President will host a new “Know Your Rights” webinar on May 9, 2025, to share insights into current, emerging, and proposed legislation, as well as the rights and resources available to immigrants and their allies in our communities. Registration is required.
April 23, 2025 — The Office of Research and Engagement provided an update on the state and federal research funding landscape.
April 23, 2025 — Chancellor Reyes is a signatory on a letter from the American Association of Colleges and Universities opposing "undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses."
April 22, 2025 - Chancellor Reyes announced a meeting of the General Faculty to consider endorsing a statement that affirms the shared values of higher education.
April 18, 2025 — The vice chancellors of Equity and Inclusion and Student Affairs and Campus Life sent a message to students, faculty and staff to extend care and solidarity to every member of the campus community and to address rumors circulating on campus.
April 17, 2025 — Despite recent rumors, UMass is not aware of any Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence on campus to date.
April 15, 2025 — Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02) sent a letter to the federal administration "demanding answers after the visas of dozens of international students at colleges and universities in Massachusetts’s Second Congressional District were revoked without notice, explanation, or due process." UMass is included in the letter.
April 13, 2025 — In light of recent actions taken by the federal administration, a new section has added to this page page to provide guidance to international students and scholars on UMass sponsored visas who have questions or concerns about the government’s unilateral visa and status revocations.
April 11, 2025 — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in American Association of University Professors, et al., v. Marco Rubio, et al. The brief, which includes information about UMass Amherst, supports a challenge to the federal administration’s “Ideological Deportation Policy."
April 5, 2025 — The campus is issuing a clarification regarding recent inaccurate reporting on visa revocations.
April 4, 2025 — Chancellor Reyes wrote to the community regarding visa revocations and status terminations affecting international students.
April 4, 2025 — The Attorney General of Massachusetts has filed a lawsuit challenging the federal administration's attempt to disrupt grant funding issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). UMass is featured in the lawsuit.
April 4, 2025 — Chancellor Reyes wrote to the community regarding visa revocations and status terminations affecting international students.
April 4, 2025 — The Attorney General of Massachusetts has filed a lawsuit challenging the federal administration's attempt to disrupt grant funding issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). UMass is featured in the lawsuit.
April 2, 2025 — The Office of the President will host a "Know Your Rights" webinar on Friday, April 4, at 3 p.m. The presentation features Chief Operating Officer for the Office for Refugees and Immigrants for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Susan Church and Immigration Attorney Elizabeth Goss of Goss Associates LLC. A UMass login is required for registration.
April 1, 2025 — A new section has been added to this site sharing advice for international students facing emergencies related to recent federal actions.
March 26, 2025 — Chancellor Reyes sent a letter outlining the university's steps in support of its community and mission.
March 25, 2025 — UMass Amherst has re-established the Angel Fund to help meet the legal, academic, housing, living and counseling needs of individuals who are adversely affected by changes in federal immigration policy.
March 21, 2025 — The university has issued new international travel guidance to employees, international students and scholars on UMass-sponsored visas, faculty and researchers, and students.
March 14, 2025 — The Office of Research and Engagement has released guidance to researchers regarding a potential government shutdown. The university continues to monitor developments in Washington and will issue broader guidance to the community in the event of a shutdown.
March 12, 2025 — UMass Amherst has launched the Research Continuity Emergency (ResCoE) Matching Fund to support those research community members whose livelihoods are put at risk by the interruption of federal funding.
March 11, 2025 — UMass Amherst is one of 60 universities in receipt of a letter from the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights reiterating institutional obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
March 11, 2025 — The Massachusetts Attorney General has obtained a temporary restraining order in federal court restoring funding to a teacher preparation pipeline grant administered by UMass Amherst.
March 7, 2025 — The Attorney General of Massachusetts has issued guidance to ensure K-12 schools, colleges, and universities across the nation understand the legality, viability, and importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policies and practices in education.
March 6, 2025 — The Attorney General of Massachusetts is co-leading a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful termination of grant funding for nationwide K-12 teacher preparation programs. Among the canceled grants cited: A UMass Amherst grant to train paraeducators to become fully licensed early childhood educators in two high-need districts.
March 5, 2025 — Chancellor Reyes sent a letter to campus, "Supporting the community through changes in federal policy."
March 4, 2025 — The Office of Research and Engagement has released updated guidance on federally funded campus research activities.
February 27, 2025 — The Attorney General and Governor of Massachusetts have released guidance supporting Massachusetts’ higher education and K-12 institutions in their work to further equal access and representation in education in response to recent Executive Orders by President Trump and a U.S. Department of Education “Dear Colleague” letter dated February 14, 2025.
February 26, 2025 — The Office of General Counsel has released updated guidance regarding visits from government agents.
February 23, 2025 — The Office of General Counsel has released guidance related to the Feb. 14 USDOE Dear Colleague letter.
February 13, 2025 — The Attorney General of Massachusetts has issued guidance that emphasizes the legality and importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
February 10, 2025 — The Office of Research and Engagement has released an update on federal funding and the NIH indirect cost Announcement.
February 10, 2025 — The Attorney General of Massachusetts is one of 22 attorneys general suing the Trump administration "for unlawfully cutting funds that support cutting-edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country." The suit mentions UMass Amherst's NIH funding.
February 10, 2025 — The Attorney General of Massachusetts has issued a joint statement addressing executive orders dismantling DEIA initiatives.
February 6, 2025 — The Office of General Counsel has provided an FAQ for faculty and staff related to visits or inquiries by government agents or law enforcement officers.
February 3, 2025 — The Office of Research and Engagement has released new guidance related to federal research funding.
January 31, 2025 — The university has added a statement to the top of this page clarifying its legal obligations regarding student and employee information.
January 29, 2025 — The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access has released updates to the Title IX policy following changes at the federal level.
January 29, 2025 — The White House has rescinded the order freezing federal assistance, including research funding
January 29, 2025 — The Office of General Counsel has issued employee guidance on responding to visits or inquiries by government agents or law enforcement officers
January 28, 2025 — The Office of Research and Engagement has released updated guidance on federal funding for grant recipients. (Note: The funding freeze order was rescinded on January 29, 2025)
January 28, 2025 — The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General has shared guidance to public colleges and universities related to immigration, including advice on responding to immigration officers
January 23, 2025 — UMass is tracking the potential impacts of a pause in NIH grant funding