Immigration Guidance

The Immigration Policy Updates page from UCI’s International Center provides the latest information on federal immigration policies affecting international students, scholars, and employees. Key topics include:

  • Visa & Travel Regulations – Changes affecting student, work, and research visas.
  • Employment & Work Authorization – Updates on policies related to OPT, H-1B, and other work visas.
  • Institutional Guidance – Support and resources for navigating immigration-related challenges.

For immigration guidance related to graduate students, visiting researchers, and employees, please visit the Graduate Student Immigration Guidance page.

Due to evolving immigration policies and border procedures, we encourage all travelers to review UCOP’s International Travel Guidance, which include resources for planning ahead and understanding potential re-entry considerations.

Immigration Enforcement Policy and Campus Rights

In accordance with California Education Code Section 66093.3 and the California Values Act, UC Irvine is committed to protecting the rights, privacy, and educational access of all students, faculty, staff, and community members.

University Policy on Immigration Enforcement

  • The university will not disclose personal information about students, faculty, or staff except as permitted by state and federal law.
  • Immigration officers will be granted access to nonpublic areas of campus only upon presentation of a valid judicial warrant.
  • Any immigration officer seeking to execute a federal immigration order will be referred to the Office of the Chancellor (or designee) for verification of legality.
  • A designated staff member serves as a confidential point of contact for anyone who may be subject to an immigration order or inquiry.
Your Rights
  • You have the right to keep your personal and immigration information private, unless you consent to disclosure or disclosure is legally required.
  • Faculty and staff may not share your personal or immigration status information unless explicitly allowed by law.
  • If you learn of or are advised that an immigration officer may come to campus, notify the Office of the Chancellor (or designee) immediately.
  • If immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus, the university will issue a community-wide notice with the date, time, location, and resources link, without including personally identifiable information.
Support for Undocumented and Affected Students

If an undocumented student is detained, deported, or unable to attend classes due to immigration enforcement:

  • The university will make reasonable efforts to protect eligibility for financial aid, fellowships, tuition exemptions, housing, and other benefits.
  • The student will be permitted to reenroll upon return and provided support for a smooth transition.
  • Staff are available to assist, in a sensitive and supportive manner, any student, faculty, or staff member impacted by immigration enforcement.
Legal Resources

The following organizations provide free or low-cost immigration legal services:

Emergency Notifications

If immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus, the university will send a notice to all students, faculty, staff, and campus workers including:

  • Date and time of confirmation
  • Location of enforcement
  • A link to this resource page

No personally identifiable information will be included in those alerts.

Questions or Assistance

For confidential support or inquiries, contact:

Vivek Mittal
Managing Attorney
University of California Immigrant Legal Services Center
220 Westwood Plaza, Suite B44
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1453
Tel: (530) 219-7256
Fax: (530) 752-3034
vivek.ucimm@law.ucdavis.edu
https://law.ucdavis.edu/ucimm/

UC Resources on Immigration

The following resources provide guidance, legal support, and university policies to help students, faculty, and staff navigate immigration-related issues. Whether seeking student services, legal advising, or university policies, these tools offer essential information to ensure access to 

Spanish-language translations are available for select resources.
Traducciones al español están disponibles para ciertos recursos.

Helpful Contacts

For questions related to travel, employment, study, or your residency status:

For questions related to immigration policies