Middlebury’s leadership team continues to monitor actions taken by the federal government closely, and to prepare for possible further actions. Our connections to national associations, like the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and the American Council on Education, are important ways that we are collaborating with other higher education institutions, as well as through our peer groups like NESCAC and COFHE. Many of our front-line colleagues are working hard to provide substantial outreach and support to our community members who are most directly affected by various administrative orders/actions. This website is intended to be a hub of information and resources for our community as we navigate the national political context while complying with the law.
The site provides overview information on the following topics:
Institutional Messages and Updates
UPDATE on Amicus Brief (2/2/26) — Favorable Ruling for Political Speech
A case in which Middlebury participated as an amicus (filed by the Presidents’ Alliance) has been successful after a trial. On January 22, in the case of AAUP vs. Rubio, U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young of the District of Massachusetts issued an order limiting the Trump administration’s ability to deport noncitizen students and faculty based on their political speech. The court concluded that the administration’s policy constituted a viewpoint-discriminatory effort to chill protected expression by noncitizens, in violation of the First Amendment. The court also formally declared the policy unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act and vacated it in its entirety.
This order follows Judge Young’s earlier ruling last September, in which he affirmed that “noncitizens lawfully present here in the United States actually have the same free speech rights as the rest of us.” Taken together, the ruling represents a significant development in clarifying and reinforcing free speech protections for international students and scholars.
“A Call for Constructive Engagement,” public statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities cosigned by Middlebury. 4/22/25
Immigration Issues at Middlebury, a message from Middlebury leadership. 4/16/25
Amicus brief from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, signed by 86 organizations including Middlebury, opposing ideological deportations. 4/9/25
Update on National Events, a message from Middlebury leadership. 3/25/25
Immigration Issues
Guidance and Resources
Timely Updates from International Student and Scholar Services
- Update on National Events, 5/29/25
- Immigration Resources and Legal Help, 4/22/25
- Travel reminders, government policy and practice updates, SEVIS record terminations, 4/17/25
- Spring Break Travel Reminders, 3/13/25
- Verification of Status, Protests, and Visa Processing, 2/21/25
- Important Reminders/Holiday Weekend, 1/17/25
Potential Impacts to Funding
Student Financial Aid
Middlebury receives approximately $16 million in federal funding for student financial aid, including Pell grants, Work Study, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and student and parent loans. To date, Middlebury has been receiving aid without interruption.
Research Funding
- Multiple executive orders have targeted federal research funding, and agency actions such as changes to indirect cost reimbursement rates have impacted Middlebury researchers and faculty.
- The litigation over these executive orders and agency decisions is dynamic. The Associated Press offers a litigation tracker that is comprehensive and regularly updated.
- Some grants have been paused while others have been cancelled prior to issuing. Middlebury staff are working closely with impacted research centers and faculty members to help manage the uncertainty.
Endowment Tax Increases
- Multiple proposals are being discussed in Washington, D.C., regarding potentially sharp increases to the endowment tax. Some are proposing increases between 14 and 21 percent, up from 1.4 percent today.
- Endowment tax increases that are currently under consideration could raise our tax bill from $1 million to $12 million. Our endowment is the financial backbone that’s put to use every day, enabling institutions like ours to live and make good on our values, including access to a Middlebury education.
- We are in close communication with peer institutions to help educate decision makers about the value of endowments and restrictions on how they can be spent.
Risk to Tax-Exempt Status
Like nearly every college and university in the United States, Middlebury has tax-exempt status due to its educational purpose. Education has long been viewed by the federal government as being important to a functioning democracy. Middlebury’s tax-exempt status is essential to its mission of educating students to lead engaged, consequential, and creative lives, contribute to their communities, and address the world’s most challenging problems.