May 9, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

Litigation Update

The Universities of Wisconsin have continued to review federal legislative actions, regulatory changes, and Presidential executive orders which may impact our universities, our collective missions, and the Wisconsin Idea. Since January 2025, several directives from the Trump Administration to federal agencies have resulted in the wrongful termination of approved, federally-funded projects. Together, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Legal Affairs at UW-Madison, and the Office of Legal Affairs at UW-Milwaukee have worked with state partners to pursue legal challenges to some of these terminations and the dismantling of certain federal agencies. To read more and review the lawsuits and submitted declarations, read the Universities of Wisconsin Litigation Update.

Student Loan Borrower Support Reminder to Universities

The U.S. Department of Education issued a ‘Dear Colleague Letter’ to universities reminding them of their shared responsibility under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to support student loan borrowers. Read the Department of Education news release announcing the guidance.

 

May 2, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

House Committee on Education and the Workforce Markup

 Earlier this Spring, the House and Senate adopted a concurrent budget resolution, which set forth a path for the chambers to work on a budget reconciliation bill. That process began in earnest this week with various House Committees meeting to markup their contributions to the overall bill. Additional markups are expected as soon as next week.

Of particular interest, the House Committee on Education and Workforce met to mark up their legislation, the Student Success and Savings Plan, on April 29, 2025. Among several provisions, the legislation makes several changes to student loans, Pell Grant eligibility, and includes a risk sharing proposal that was previously included as part of the College Cost Reduction Act in the last session of Congress.

Should you wish to review the legislation, the section-by-section authored by the Committee Majority and a Committee Minority fact sheet may be helpful; the bill text the committee voted on can be found here.

The legislative process will continue to play out over the coming weeks with other committees advancing their legislation before they are combined prior to consideration on the House floor. We remain actively engaged with Congressional stakeholders and our national associations to share concerns and opportunities for improvement.

New! FAQs for International Students, Faculty, and Staff

We’ve added new FAQs addressing visa revocation, immigration staff actions, study abroad, student degree and enrollment, and travel. See those updated FAQs on our International Student, Faculty & Staff Resources page.

 

 

April 25, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

Executive Orders

This week, President Trump signed a series of executive orders related to education. These orders include an examination of accreditation and Section 117 reporting requirements. The Universities of Wisconsin continue to review these orders, and as there are details to share on these – or any other orders – information will be disseminated via the university’s federal updates workgroup representative.

Advocacy Updates

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on additional issues of importance and concern to our universities. In advance of Congress considering budget reconciliation legislation in the coming weeks, these efforts have included discussions regarding the criticality of federal financial aid and fully funding research agencies, among other topics. Further updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

Follow Legal Challenges on Litigation Tracker

You can track legal challenges to the administration’s executive orders and administrative actions on the Just Security litigation tracker.

April 18, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

New! FAQs for International Students on Visas, LRPs, and SEVISs

We’ve added new FAQs addressing visa revocation/LPR status rescission, SEVIS record termination, and federal agent request for access to location, information, or records on our International Student, Faculty & Staff Resources page.

Department of Energy Indirect Costs

As noted above, late last week, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to “limit financial support of “indirect costs” of DOE research funding to 15%.”

Importantly, however, on April 16, Judge Burroughs of the District Court for Massachusetts granted a Temporary Restraining Order in the litigation that had been filed in opposition to the previously announced DOE plan.

Op Ed on Student Visas

UW-Madison Chancellor Mnookin released an Op-Ed in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 17, which you can read at the following link: Revoking Student Visas at UW-Madison is Arbitrary, Unjust

 

 

April 11, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

President Rothman letter to WI Delegation on Student Financial Aid

UW President Jay Rothman sent a letter to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation dated April 9, 2025, expressing the UWs concern over any potential impact on student financial aid as a result of the budget and reconciliation process.

New! FAQs for International Students/Faculty/Staff on Travel

We’ve added new FAQs addressing travel outside the U.S. on our International Student, Faculty & Staff Resources page. We will continue to add information to this page regarding travel, visas, and rights for our international audience.

Information Regarding Agents Visiting Campuses

Please refer to our information regarding agents visiting universities on what to do if government agents come to your university.

Additional Advocacy Updates

In addition to the letter above, and as noted in past newsletter additions, the Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on additional issues of importance and concern to our universities. For example, the following letter to the Departments of State and Homeland Security from the higher education community may also be of interest. Further updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

Information Regarding Agents Visiting Universities

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We will comply with all applicable law and are committed to cooperating with law enforcement within the constraints of the law and our own delegated responsibilities. The agents may be federal or state officers, federal or state auditors or other similarly situated individuals.  

If any Government Agent Comes to Your Workplace: 

  • Be respectful 
  • Take enough time for yourself to think through and formulate your answers.  
  • Ask the agent for their name and to see their government issued badge.  Most likely the agent will show you their badge without you asking.  If not, it is your right to ask for this.    

If the agent approaches a student worker first, the student should immediately get their supervisor and/or their human resource (HR) representative.  

  • Verify the agent’s identity and agency with badge.   
  • Ask the agent why they are on campus if they have not shared that information already.  
  • Ask the agent to have a seat in a waiting room or lobby. If you do not have such a space, politely ask them to wait where they are while you try to reach the proper contact.  
  • Call the Office of General Counsel (OGC) at 608-262-2995 [or your Office of Legal Affairs and number for UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison] and speak with one of the attorneys. 
  • Campuses: Determine whether individuals should also call campus police to alert them of another law enforcement entity on campus   

Tell the attorney the following information: “Agent X from the Department of Y is here to talk to you about Z.”   

Do not leave a message with Legal.  

If no one from UW Legal is available, tell the agent that no one is available right now.

  • Ask the agent if they can come back another time.    
  • Do not give the agent access to any paper files or access to any computer systems.   

 Agents are free to enter any public areas of your workplace but must have a valid search warrant to enter a non-public area.  Do not give your consent to enter a non-public area.  

  • Public areas may include reception, waiting areas and lobbies; open dining areas such as cafeterias; restrooms; and other common areas accessible by members of the public without screening or escort. Non-public areas include private offices and laboratories; private residential rooms; classrooms and lecture halls that are currently in use; and other secured or restricted-access areas designated for instructional or research use.   
  • A valid warrant must be signed and dated by a judge. It will include a period within which the search must be conducted, a description of the premises to be searched, and a list of items to be searched for and seized (e.g., payroll records, employee identification documents, I-9 forms, SSA correspondence, etc.).  

 

April 4, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

FAQs for Student Visa Holders

Check back early next week for new FAQs for student visa holders on the Federal Updates page. The FAQs will cover information relating to visa status and non-citizen rights and travel.

March 28, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

New Financial Aid FAQs

Two new Financial Aid FAQs were added to the Federal Update website – both addressing the impact of executive orders on financial aid.

Advocacy Update

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on issues of importance and concern to our universities ranging from ongoing conversations related to budget reconciliation to potential cuts to research and federal student financial aid. Updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

 

March 21, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

Department of Education Executive Order 

The Universities of Wisconsin are aware of the executive order signed on March 20 related to the continuation of the Department of Education. It is our hope that these actions will not impact current funding provided by the Department of Education, including federal student financial aid. The Universities of Wisconsin are working to learn more about the impacts of this action, and as more guidance is provided by relevant authorities, further updates will be shared.

NEW! Resources for International Students, Faculty, and Staff

The Universities of Wisconsin are providing resources for international students, faculty, and staff on the International Students, Faculty, and Staff Resources page. The resources on the site are related to recent federal actions. Visit the Federal Updates website for more information on the federal issues the Universities of Wisconsin and your university are following.