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 receive access to all campus services regardless of immigration status, including an ID card; confidential counseling through Student Counseling Service; medical services through the Student Health Services; academic support through the Rinella Learning Center and our regional campus Learning Assistance Centers; and all other university programs and services.

Many other offices within the Division of Student Life, including Residential Life and the Office of the Dean of Students, also offer services that support all students, including those from diverse backgrounds and experiences, regardless of their immigration status.

Miami classifies qualifying undocumented students who reside in the state of Ohio as in-state students for tuition purposes as permitted under 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.

Should ICE or law enforcement officials present themselves and request student information, immediate contact must be made with the General Counsel's office at 513-529-6734, specifically reaching either Amy Shoemaker or Sara Kelley. In cases pertaining to F-1 visa holders, the Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), Molly Heidemann, should also be notified at mheidemann@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-2512.

It is understood that external agencies are to direct their inquiries to the General Counsel, the President's Office, the Miami University Police Department (MUPD), or an officially designated university representative. However, regardless of the presence of a warrant, no university personnel other than those offices are authorized to release student information, as protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Miami Police want all individuals to feel comfortable reporting a crime, cooperating with police, or reaching out to the police for assistance. Miami 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 do not contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding any person, unless that person is arrested on a criminal charge as required by law.

Several other law enforcement agencies also have jurisdiction to 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 intervene in immigration court proceedings if a member of our community is detained or subject to an order of removal. 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.