International Students
The Teaching Assistants’ Association stands in solidarity with our international student colleagues, as well as all the members of our community whose rights and freedoms are limited by their citizenship status. International student workers can be more vulnerable to bullying and retaliation, and the TAA stands ready to support them in protecting their rights as workers. International students are also charged an additional $100/semester in mandatory fees; we are calling on the university to eliminate or remit all mandatory fees for graduate workers.
Can international students join the TAA?
Yes! In the 55-year history of the TAA, no international student has had any problems with the university or with her visa status as a result of her involvement with the union. It is against the law for the university to discriminate against anyone as a result of her union activity, and union activity cannot be taken into account when the USCIS considers your visa. The TAA is here to protect and represent you, and is the best resource for you if you run into complications with your job. By getting involved, you can make sure that the TAA can represent the full diversity of the union!
Will my union membership or activity affect visa applications I might make in the future?
No. It is against the law for the Department of Homeland Security to even ask you about your union membership or your legal union activities or to take them into account in considering your visa application.
How can the TAA help international students?
The TAA is us — join your union and get involved to stand in solidarity with your international colleagues.
If you are facing bullying, retaliation, or harassment at work, or if you would like to join our work in supporting international students’ rights as student workers, please contact us at taa@taa-madison.org.
For issues with visas, status, or other matters, international students may find the below resources useful:
On-campus legal clinic:
Immigrant Justice Center | (608) 890-3753 | The Immigrant Justice Clinic (IJC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School provides free legal services to Wisconsin’s immigrant community. Services offered include assistance with humanitarian relief applications, defense against deportation, and support for victims of crime, persecution, and human trafficking.
Other legal representation and resources for immigrants and those facing deportation:
- Catholic Multicultural Center | (608) 441-0114 | Languages: Arabic, English, Spanish, French, Russian, American Sign Language
- Centro Hispano of Dane County | (608) 442-4012 | Languages: English, Spanish
- Community Immigration Law Center | (608) 640-4444 | Languages: English, Spanish
- RISE Law Center | (608) 256-1015 | info@riselawcenter.org | Languages: Arabic, English, Spanish, Portuguese
- Jewish Social Services of Madison | (608) 442-4081 | Languages: Arabic, English, Spanish, French, Russian
- Voces De La Frontera | (414) 643-1620 | Languages: English, Spanish
Resource directories compiled by UW offices
- International Student Services: List of resources available at UW and in the Madison area for international students.
- Office of Student Assistance and Support: University resources for DACA recipients.
Other resource directories:
- Immi: Directory of legal resources by ZIP Code
- Immigrant Advocates Network: Directory of resources for immigrants, filtered by state.