International Students Caught in the Middle of Columbia Crackdown
Agreement with NYPD allows swift police action on protests, sparking warnings from immigration attorneys.
NEW YORK CITY — Columbia University’s new agreement with city and state leaders to restore order on campus following months of pro-Palestinian protests is drawing scrutiny from immigration advocates, who warn that vague disciplinary terms and increased law enforcement presence could disproportionately affect international students.
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The agreement, signed July 29 by Columbia President Minouche Shafik and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, outlines a “reset” of campus protest policies and establishes a framework for collaboration with the NYPD, including a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing police access to campus through June 2026.
While the document does not explicitly reference immigration or international students, experts note that visa-holding students are particularly vulnerable under broad enforcement measures. Columbia enrolls more than 16,000 international students, one of the highest international student populations in the U.S., according to the Institute of International Education.
Under U.S. immigration law, F-1 and J-1 visa holders are required to remain in good academic standing and avoid criminal charges or violations of university policies that could trigger disciplinary actions. Advocates are concerned that the university’s expanded discretion over protest conduct — including potential referrals to law enforcement — could put international students at risk of deportation or visa revocation.
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The agreement allows Columbia to “establish procedures to limit or disband” future protests and mandates that any encampment or building occupation will trigger immediate police notification. It also authorizes the NYPD to deploy officers “as needed” in “extraordinary situations,” a clause immigration attorneys fear could result in surveillance or arrest of students engaged in peaceful protest.
“Even minor infractions or misunderstandings during demonstrations could have immigration consequences if escalated by university or police action,” said an attorney familiar with student visa law, speaking generally and not specifically about Columbia’s case.
The agreement also reaffirms Columbia’s right to discipline students through internal conduct proceedings. However, it lacks language ensuring that international students are advised of how disciplinary actions may intersect with federal immigration compliance.
As of now, no additional guidance has been issued by Columbia on how the agreement will be implemented with respect to noncitizen students.
The policy is set to remain in effect until June 30, 2026.
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