Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Miami does not inquire about immigration status of prospective students or their families.

Miami University is committed to the success of all our students and does not consider citizenship, national origin, race, ethnicity or other characteristics that make them unique when making admission decisions. Students can access all campus services, no matter their immigration status. These include:

• A digital ID card
• Confidential counseling from the Student Counseling Service
• Medical services through Student Health Services
• Academic support at the Rinella Learning Center and regional learning assistance centers
• All other university programs and services

Many offices in the Division of Student Life support all students. This includes Residence Life and the Office of the Dean of Students. They provide services for everyone, regardless of background or immigration status.

Miami allows qualifying undocumented students living in Ohio to pay in-state tuition, following Ohio law.
Out-of-state students, regardless of their immigration status, are charged out-of-state rates.

DACA is a federal program that permits persons who were brought into the United States illegally as children (under 16) and have lived in the US for at least five years to obtain deferred action status. This order permits persons to provide documentation and pay a fee that will enable them to work or go to school. DACA status protects holders from being placed in deportation proceedings. Approximately 800,000 persons have been granted DACA temporary status. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there were 590,070 active DACA recipients as of June 30, 2021.

It is important that DACA students work closely with personal immigration counsel to take all reasonable precautions related to their personal circumstances. For resources to help find immigration legal assistance, please see ImmigrationLawHelp.org. 

In general, and in accordance with the information currently available, DACA students should not expect any aspect of their engagement with Miami University to change.

If you are a DACA student in an academic program that requires employment authorization to complete elements of your program, such as a paid internship, you should monitor developments related to your employment authorization closely. In the event that DACA students lose employment authorization, Miami will take reasonable steps to assist those students in the completion of their studies or explore alternate requirements or courses of study as appropriate. If DACA graduate students lose their employment authorization, they cannot continue to hold paid graduate assistantship positions.

Advance parole is a document that allows noncitizens to reenter the United States after traveling abroad. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it will no longer approve advance parole requests associated with DACA. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services is not recommending that DACA students with approved Advance Parole depart the United States.

If ICE or law enforcement asks for student information, contact the General Counsel's office right away at 513-529-6734. Speak to either Amy Shoemaker or Sara Kelley. For F-1 visa holders, notify Molly Heidemann, the Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). You can reach her at mheidemann@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-2512.

External agencies should direct their inquiries to one of the following:

• General Counsel
• President's Office
• Miami University Police Department
• An officially designated university representative

Miami Police want everyone to feel safe reporting crimes. They encourage cooperation with officers and reaching out for help. University Police do not question individuals about their immigration status and do not detain someone solely because they cannot provide proof of legal residency. Miami Police only contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if someone is arrested on a criminal charge, as the law requires.

Other law enforcement agencies can also enforce the law on Miami’s public campuses. These include, but are not limited to the State Highway Patrol, Butler County Sheriff, Oxford City Police, the Hamilton Police Department and the Middletown Police Department. The university has no authority or control over other law enforcement agencies.

Effective January 20, 2025, the 2021 policy shielding schools, hospitals, and places of worship from extensive immigration enforcement was revoked. This change eliminates the previous protection for campuses. While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has yet to issue specific guidelines regarding campus enforcement, it's crucial to note that this rescission doesn't automatically make these locations targets for increased enforcement ([3]). 

[3] https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/01/21/statement-dhs-spokesperson-directives-expanding-law-enforcement-and-ending-abuse 

Miami University has no legal ability to step in during immigration court proceedings. This includes cases where a community member is detained or faces removal orders. Immigration court proceedings are federal administrative hearings. Faculty and staff may write letters and conduct other advocacy in support of the student to be submitted to the immigration judge for consideration during the removal hearing in the immigration court.

In the unfortunate event a student was to be subjected to removal from the United States, Miami will support and take steps to ease the student’s transition. Such steps and support will depend upon the individual student, his or her academic program and progress, and resources abroad, and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Such support may include, but is not limited to, providing expedited readmission if the student can return to Miami; helping place the student with a foreign institution and guiding the student in continuing his or her studies through distance learning when available in the program of study. Miami administrators and academic advisors will work with the student individually to assess practical options and the best path forward.

Anyone who wishes to express a viewpoint on any state or federal policy or action may contact their elected representatives. Identify your U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator.