Welcome to the second Hunter College Global Awareness Bulletin.
As American immigration policy shifts, we are highlighting resources at Hunter and beyond to ensure that our community has the most current and comprehensive information. Stay informed with us as we navigate the evolving national landscape.
Policy and Advocacy Updates:
- Policy Changes: This week, when the federal government reversed its revocation of visas on the Department of Homeland Security SEVIS database, the records of 26 CUNY students were restored, including two from Hunter. We continue to monitor the visa status of students, visiting scholars, faculty and staff.
- Advocacy Efforts: President Cantor was among the higher education leaders who co-signed a public statement to “speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.” CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodriguez and several other CUNY college presidents also were signatories.
- Hunter and CUNY leaders are coordinating reaction to the revocation of research grants, including appeals for reinstatement.
- CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez issued a statement on April 23, “Standing Together,” reiterating the university’s commitment to supporting immigrants, protecting all students, and defending academic freedom.
- Hunter and CUNY officials remain in regular contact with each other and with elected officials and advocacy organizations to assess policy and funding changes that are affecting our community.
- Legal Efforts: Hunter and CUNY attorneys are monitoring lawsuits against executive orders affecting higher education and have provided information to support decision making by the New York State Attorney General’s Office in that regard.
Academic and Educational Support Updates:
- Immigrant Student Success Center: It bears reminding that Hunter’s Immigrant Student Success Center provides resources for all undocumented and immigrant students to navigate financial aid and support, free legal immigration consultations, professional skills and opportunities, and advising to promote students’ success. On April 23rd, the office hosted a presentation by First Gen Empower, an organization that partners with institutions to strengthen their support for first-generation, low-income, and undocumented students, on preparing for graduate and professional schools.
- On May 1st, it hosted a presentation by #Undocuhustle, which gave undocumented students the tools to become entrepreneurs and initiate their own business, with and without work authorization. On May 20, the Immigrant Student Success Center, along with First Gen Empower, will host a training session for faculty and staff collaborators about how to support our undocumented population.
- Citizenship Now! Initiatives: CUNY Citizenship Now! offers free, high-quality, and confidential immigration-law services to help you and your family on your path to U.S. citizenship. Learn more.
- Study Abroad: Our guidance for students contemplating study abroad remains the same: Consistent with Global CUNY, Hunter College Education Abroad is advising that Hunter community members who are of immigrant origin, hold a visa to study or work in the United States, or who hold U.S. permanent-resident status, refrain from study abroad in Fall 2025. Hunter is exploring opportunities for students to study away from campus without traveling abroad. More information will be in future bulletins.
Community and Engagement:
- Student Stories: Diversity is our superpower! Read inspiring stories about immigrant-origin students and alumni, such as “Hunter-Bellevue Student Wins Nurse Leader Award” and “Two Hunter Alumni Win National Science Foundation Fellowships.”
- Events and Workshops: Recently, we hosted an expert on forced migration as part of our “Civil Discourse and Intellectual Dialogue Series.” Professor Marciana Popescu of Fordham University gave a detailed talk on “Migration Narratives in the United States.” You can watch the talk by Popescu, a Fulbright specialist on migration policy, here.
- Hunter’s Commitment to Diversity: Hunter College President Nancy Cantor has joined Presidents for Latino Student Success, a national network which seeks to ensure that Latinos can thrive on campus. On April 11, President Cantor joined CUNY’s Office of Undocumented and Immigrant Student Programs for an event in which she and other leaders shared how our colleges have expanded research, internships, scholarships, guidance, and funding opportunities for immigrants.
