�鶹AV

The below message was sent to faculty, staff, and students on April 14, 2025. 

To the �鶹AV Community, 

Global engagement is critical to our mission as a leading liberal arts college. Bryn Mawr welcomes and supports students, scholars, faculty, and staff from all over the world. We understand that recent federal policy changes and actions related to immigration, visas, and travel may impact members of our community and that this can cause anxiety and concern.  

Below is some guidance for members of our community to consider. 

All students, staff, and faculty should be aware that federal policies and draft proposals are changing quickly. If traveling abroad, please make sure to utilize the following support services available to international travelers: 

• Bryn Mawr International College Travel Resources: This link provides resources for those planning to travel abroad.   

• BMC Travel Registry: All students are required to register their Bryn Mawr-related travel through the . Faculty and staff who travel internationally are strongly encouraged to complete the BMC Travel Registry.   The registry includes emergency contacts and other important information that the College needs to support travelers should an emergency occur abroad.   

  • Please see the  for assistance. If you have further questions, please contact Jane Shaw: jshaw@brynmawr.edu.

  • The BMC Travel Registry includes the BMC Travel Agreement (for all student travelers) and prompts travelers to enroll in STEP (for U.S. citizens). 

• If you are a member of Bryn Mawr’s international community and are planning to travel abroad, you should consider traveling with the following documentation: 

  • All documents related to your immigration status, including your passport, valid US Visa stamp, Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 with a valid travel signature, and proof of Financial Support. 

  • Letter of Attendance or Employment: International faculty can obtain this letter from Beth Shepard-Rabadam, and international students can obtain this letter from Patricia Lausch before April 25. The completed letter should only be presented at the port of entry if requested by the immigration officer.   

POTENTIAL FEDERAL TRAVEL BANS 

A  could create three color-coded tiers of countries subject to visa restrictions or delays. Citizens from countries on the red list would be barred from entering the United States, while citizens from orange countries would experience severe restrictions on visa issuance. Countries on the yellow list would have a period of time, reported to be 60 days, to address concerns about passport issuance and information-sharing. 

GENDER INCLUSION  

Travel Guidance for Transgender Individuals 

Traveling as a transgender individual can present unique challenges, especially when it comes to travel documentation. Here is some important information to help ensure a smoother travel experience: 

• If your passport has an updated gender marker, it remains valid. Despite recent policy changes, the State Department has clarified that all current valid passports, including those with "X" gender markers, will be honored.  

• The  has clarified that “All passports – including those with an X marker or those listing a sex different from your sex at birth – will remain valid for travel until their expiration date, under International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO policy.” 

• However, be prepared for potential scrutiny and carry backup documents such as a birth certificate and a copy of the federal policy. 

REVOCATION OF STUDENT VISAS 

The federal government has also announced its intention to revoke visas of international students and scholars deemed to be supporters of Hamas or the attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. 

While it remains unclear who may be directly impacted, we suggest that all members of the Bryn Mawr community update your emergency contact info in  to include at least one emergency contact in the United States. 

If you have questions about how recent federal immigration policy initiatives might impact you, please reach out to: 

• Candice Love, Director of The Impact Center for Community, Equity, & Understanding 

• Patricia Lausch, Assistant Dean for Student & Scholar Advising 

• Beth Shepard-Rabadam, Associate Provost for Administration (for faculty and international scholars) 

• A.T. Ortíz, Dean for Equity, Inclusion, & Community Life 

GUIDANCE FOR CAMPUS COMMUNITY IF ICE VISITS CAMPUS 

�鶹AV is private property, and our protocols are clear: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are not permitted on campus without a judicial warrant or order (Please note that Merion Ave is a public street). 

• If you are approached by someone you believe to be an ICE agent, please call Campus Safety at 610-526-7911. 

• If an ICE agent presents a subpoena or warrant, ask them to wait and call Campus Safety immediately. Only designated staff are authorized to accept service of a court order or subpoena.  

Students 

• Students may not authorize ICE agents to enter campus buildings on �鶹AV property. 

• Students may refuse access to ICE agents to enter student housing unless the ICE agent has a judicial warrant to enter or search that clearly defines the premises to be searched and entered. If you are unsure about whether what is provided is a judicial warrant, please call Campus Safety at 610-526-7911. 

• If students receive an access request or observe ICE agents conducting enforcement activities on campus, they should contact Campus Safety at 610-526-7911. 

Faculty and Staff 

Faculty or staff approached by ICE should not authorize ICE agents to enter campus buildings or �鶹AV property. 

• Ask for identifying credentials, a business card, and legal documents. 

• Ask them to wait until you receive a response from Campus Safety; call 610-526-7911 immediately. 

• Faculty and Staff are not generally authorized to accept service of a court order or subpoena. 

Only designated staff should accept service of a court order or subpoena. In response to questions or attempts to service a warrant or subpoena, please say: 

“I am not authorized by the College to grant permission to enter non-public areas, provide information about individual students or employees, or accept service of documentation on behalf of the College. I am not obstructing your duties, but I need guidance from the College before permitting your entry, providing information, or accepting service.”  

Then, call Campus Safety. 

Best Practices 

• Do not hold doors open for people you don’t know. 

• When in doubt, call Campus Safety. 

• If you have not done so already, save Campus Safety’s phone number in your contacts: 610-526-7911. 

Sincerely, 

Xuemei May Cheng 
Dean of �鶹AV Studies 

Tim Harte 
Provost and Professor of Russian  

Tomiko Jenkins  
Acting Co-Dean  
Undergraduate College Division  

Katie Krimmel 
Acting Co-Dean  
Undergraduate College Division

Martin Mastascusa 
Director, Human Resources 

Janet Shapiro 
Dean of the �鶹AV School of Social Work and Social Research