Protecting the Rights of International Researchers

International scholars have always faced challenges and precarity on account of our status as visa holders. This is especially true under the current presidential administration. The precarious position international scholars face can also compound the many sources of stress we experience as postdoctoral researchers working at Duke such as the high cost of living, insufficient family-friendly policies, and can leave many of us without options when faced with unfair termination, unreasonable work expectations, or harassment.

By forming a union, international researchers can negotiate for additional protections that can make our lives more secure. UAW academic unions have recently won the following improvements and benefits for international workers:

  • University of Washington grad workers, postdocs, and researchers (UAW 4121) won rights for international workers including paid leave for immigration appointments and hearings plus the right to reappointment if someone loses work authorization.
  • NYU Contract Faculty Union (UAW 7902) won a $200,000 annual fund for international workers to use towards costs associated with immigration and maintenance of legal working status in the United Status.
  • Columbia Postdocs, and Mt. Sinai Postdocs won up to $1,250 in visa renewal cost reimbursements (both UAW 4100).  Mt. Sinai Postdocs also won paid leave for visa-related travel.
  • Weill Cornell Medicine Postdocs (UAW 4100) won up to $1,500 in visa renewal cost reimbursements, as well as a guarantee that appointments will be held open for at least 60 days in the event of work authorization delays.  Weill Cornell Postdocs also won a greater say in choice of visa.
  • University of California Postdocs (UAW 4811) won increased rights for international postdocs by ending UC’s practice of denying health benefits for many international postdocs and ensuring equal treatment regardless of immigration status.

More broadly, UAW has also been a critical resource and provided a political voice for international students and scholars to affect national policy. The UAW has: 

  • Created resources for international scholar members including a free hotline staffed by immigration attorneys, FAQs and know-your-rights webinars
  • Joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s rule ending duration of status for F-1 and J-1 visa holders, which has been indefinitely stayed in court (Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, et al. v. US Dep’t of Homeland Security, et al.).
  • Joined a lawsuit challenging the administration’s increase of H1B visa fees to $100,000 (Global Nurse Force, et al. v. Trump, et al.), which has successfully been blocked in court (California, et al. v. Mullin, et al.).
  • Supported litigation against Trump administration’s policy of arresting and deporting workers for protected speech (AAUP vs. Rubio), and joined a lawsuit challenging the administration’s surveillance of international workers’ online activities for protected speech (Int’l Union, UAW, et al. v. US Dep’t of State, et al.).
  • Joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to hold asylum applications and immigration benefits for nationals of 39 countries (Dorcas Int’l Inst. of Rhode Island, et al. v. US Citizenship & Immigration Services, et al.), which has been blocked in court.
  • During the first Trump administration, in October of 2020, UAW academic workers mobilized against a proposed rule by ICE to shorten visa stays for international scholars; thousands of public comments were submitted, including by the President of the UAW International. In July of 2020, thanks to the direct action by UAW academic workers across the country, in addition to efforts by our university and government allies, ICE backed down from its directive to deport international students taking online classes due to COVID-19. In 2017, the UAW International filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case challenging the Trump administration’s travel ban. UAW Locals 5810, 2865 and 4121 also worked with Congressional Representatives Judy Chu (San Gabriel Valley, California) and Pramila Jayapal (Seattle) on a Dear Colleague letter demanding that Secretary of State Pompeo restore the validity period of Chinese international students’ entry visas from 12 months back to 60 months.
  • UAW academic workers have held protests outside of ICE offices and shared our stories with the press

UAW 2865 and UAW 5810 members protest outside of ICE offices in San Francisco, summer 2020

UAW Local 2865 and UAW 5810 union members with Congresswoman Judy Chu discussing her Dear Colleague Letter in support of Chinese international students at her office in Pasadena, 2018.