Immigration Warning

If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you need to know about and consider potential issues concerning your immigration status.

International Students

If you are attending college with a student visa, the U.S. Government expects you to be a full-time student. On a student visa, you will normally only be authorized to work part-time on campus, except for school breaks when student workers can work full-time. However, the Citizenship & Immigration Services may authorize off-campus employment due to economic hardship. Violating the terms of your visa could cause you to be considered out of status. If you remain beyond the time permitted under your visa, your presence becomes unlawful and could lead to you being barred from re-entry as described below.

Understanding your Rights

Legal advice that you can use without the need for an appointment and that might save you from legal problems.

PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this webpage has been prepared for educational purposes. It is intended to provide general legal information. If you have a specific legal problem, it is important for you to consult with an attorney regarding your rights and responsibilities in your particular situation. If you are a student at TWU, you may make an appointment with the Student Legal Services Advisor by completing an Information Sheet that is available on this webpage and by contacting 940-898-2968.

Your Rights

• You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so out loud.
• You have the right to refuse to consent to a search of yourself, your car or your home.
• If you are not under arrest, you have the right to calmly leave.
• You have the right to a lawyer if you are arrested. Ask for one immediately.
• Regardless of your immigration or citizenship status, you have constitutional rights.

Your Responsibilities

• Stay calm and be polite.
• Remember the details of the encounter.
• File a written complaint if you believe your rights have been violated.
• Do not interfere with or obstruct the police.
• Do not lie or give false documents.

Helpful Suggestions

• Always have your documentation with you at all times, a state ID, Driver’s License, student ID, etc..
• Do not carry any documentation from your country of origin.
• While Texas hospitals/ERs are required to ask about your citizenship you are not obligated to answer and you can still receive care.  Just be prepared to show them a valid photo ID. 

If You Are Stopped for Questioning

• Stay calm. Don't run. Don't argue, resist or obstruct the police, even if you are innocent or police are violating your rights. Keep your hands where police can see them.
• Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly and silently walk away. If you are under arrest, you have a right to know why.
• You have the right to remain silent and cannot be punished for refusing to answer questions. If you wish to remain silent, tell the officer out loud. In some states, you must give your name if asked to identify yourself.
• You do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings, but police may "pat down" your clothing if they suspect a weapon. You should not physically resist, but you have the right to refuse consent for any further search. If you do consent, it can affect you later in court.

If You Are Stopped in Your Car

• Stop the car in a safe place as quickly as possible. Turn off the car, turn on the internal light, open the window part way and place your hands on the wheel.
• Upon request, show police your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance.
• If an officer or immigration agent asks to look inside your car, you can refuse to consent to the search. But if police believe your car contains evidence of a crime, your car can be searched without your consent.
• Both drivers and passengers have the right to remain silent. If you are a passenger, you can ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, sit silently or calmly leave. Even if the officer says no, you have the right to remain silent.

If You Have Children

• If your child was born in the United States, register your child’s birth with your country’s government (for example with the consulate).
• Make sure all information and emergency contacts are up to date, including who can and cannot pick up your children at school or childcare.
• Complete a non-parent authorization so you can designate an adult to care for your children temporarily if needed.

Additional Immigration Resources

While we would recommend that students with legal questions contact and schedule a FREE attorney consultation with our Student Legal Services Office, we also understand that the timing or scope of your legal needs or your schedule may not make that resource readily available to you. As such, we want to provide you with additional options to receive information to address your legal situation.

This link is to a list of immigration resources provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.* The organizations on this list provide either free or reduced cost immigration services. Each of these organizations either provide direct immigration services or act as a referral option to put you in touch with someone to provide immigration services. These organizations may provide any of the following services: referral to attorneys providing free or reduced-fee immigration consultations/representation; direct consultation with an immigration attorney; direct consultation with a non-attorney immigration advocate; or documentation or information to assist you in handling your immigration matter yourself. However, due to volume of work, these organizations may or may not be taking on new clients or matters.

Should you have further questions please contact your Student Legal Services Office at 940-898-2968 and submit your appointment request today. 

*Texas Woman's University provides this information as additional resources for our students.  This information is provided by the U.S. Department of Justice on their website. Texas Woman's University does not endorse any of these organizations or attorneys. Additionally, Texas Woman's University does not participate in, nor is it responsible for, the representation decisions or performance of these organizations or attorneys.