"As our 12th president, John A. Hannah, envisioned, Michigan State is a university not only for the people of Michigan but for the world," Guskiewicz said. "University leaders have advanced this commitment to international engagement over the decades, from the late Clifton R. Wharton Jr., an international development economist, to M. Peter McPherson, a former administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development."

Referencing that some MSU international students recently had their visas revoked, Guskiewicz said, "This moment calls on all of us to uphold this legacy."

Guskiewicz said MSU has heard concerns from "many groups of students" — including postdoctoral scholars and "international Spartans" — about the Trump administration’s policy, and that he is relaying those concerns to federal legislators. 

"I (President Guskiewicz) am in Washington, D.C. today, meeting with congressional leaders and speaking about these concerns and the anxiety our students and university community are experiencing," the letter said. 

Guskiewicz’ message provides some insight into the extent to which MSU is pushing back on the Trump administration amid its flurry of policies that seek to drastically change the landscape of higher education across the country. 

It also represents further discord between the entities following MSU’s impassioned defense at a board meeting in February of diversity, equity and inclusion at the university, even as the Trump administration has moved to eradicate such programs across the public and private sectors. 

The State News reported Monday that some MSU international students had their visas revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — a revelation that added MSU to a growing list of universities as the Trump administration cracks down on both illegal and legal immigration. 

Whereas international students’ visas have historically only been in jeopardy if they’re not able to demonstrate good standing within their academic program and that they have sufficient financial support to study in the U.S., the Trump administration has significantly adjusted its standards. 

International students who have participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations or speech on college campuses have been targeted with visa revocations specifically. 

The Trump administration has billed that policy as an attempt to rid the country of antisemitism. But critics of the move have argued that message has only been co-opted in bad-faith by Trump to justify a policy that runs afoul of the First Amendment. 

The reasons for why the MSU international students had their visas revoked remain unclear. 

The letter said that the university’s Office for International Students and Scholars has been "monitoring the situation and consulting with colleagues and immigration attorneys to understand more." It continued, "OISS is communicating directly with impacted international students to provide individualized guidance and support."

4,923 international students were enrolled at MSU in spring 2024, according to the most recent data from the university.

When a student visa — typically classified as F-1 or M-1 — is terminated, that student is required to leave the country immediately. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are also allowed to investigate to confirm the student’s departure, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

"We will continue to seek ways to respond to the situation and support international Spartans, who are high valued members of our university community," the letter said. "Joining us today from approximately 140 countries, these community members have contributed so much to MSU's academic and research excellence as well as our campus culture and global outlook for more than 150 years."

Administration Reporter Emilio Perez Ibarguen contributed reporting.