The new decision by the United States Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) requires international students who are taking all-online classes during the fall semester to leave the United States or risk arrest and deportation. We ask Marquette University and President Michael Lovell to create a three credit, credit-no-credit class, that meets once a semester, as well as excused absences in this course, until this policy is reversed or struck down. This change would alleviate the stress of uncertainty caused by the instability of their student visa status amidst the pandemic. Without this change, international students are at risk of being arrested, deported, or detained in an ICE facility. Then, depending on their home country's situation and their economic stability, they may be forced to remain in said facility for the foreseeable future, unable to experience Marquette and its values in which they have invested in heavily. Further, by allowing this kind of policy to affect our students, it would run contrary to our Jesuit mission and values.

The decision by SEVP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is an inhumane and discriminatory attack on our international student friends and community. This directive is violating of the Administrative Procedures Act; officials fail to offer any reasonable basis for justifying this policy. Additionally, many international students have no way to return home due to travel restrictions. For example, Chinese international students are unable to return home because the Chinese government has restricted international flights into China in light of the pandemic. As previously mentioned, our international students are at risk to be arrested and detained in an ICE facility. These facilities, historically and continually, have inhumane conditions and are hotbeds of COVID-19 transmission; in addition, our international students may be denied due process, and may encounter a premature death from the conditions of the ICE facility.

The revision of the SEVP policy and ICE detention facility conditions are incompatible with Marquette's Jesuit values, by negating and failing to promote an inclusive and diverse community for all people. Marquette University prides itself for its global community, with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and international community partners. Failure to protect our international students undermines every effort the university has made to promote diversity and social justice. Marquette invites students to grow and learn with a focus on Jesuit values with the goal to become men and women for and with others. The SEVP revision denies enrolled students, both domestic and international, access to this, simply based on someone's country of origin. This runs contrary to our Christian beliefs and traditions. According to the book of Daniel, creation proclaims the glory of God. When we deny the opportunity for all students to learn and grow with the community of international students, we are denying them the opportunity to learn more about the kingdom of God because we are unable to witness God's creation. Further, every single person is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, discriminating against someone based on their country of origin would be discriminating against God. 

We strongly urge Marquette University and President Lovell to respond to this petition and do everything within their power to protect the Marquette international student community from the risk of deportation and possible inhumane treatment from ICE. We wish to ensure that our international students are able to stay in the United States without fear of arrest and deportation during their studies and beyond.