Graduate student workers negotiating their contracts with the University of California are asking for a legal fund to help them navigate visa issues as the Trump administration ramps up restrictions on immigrants and foreign visitors. The union represents 48,000 teaching assistants, postdocs and researchers at UC Berkeley and other UC campuses. About 40% of its members come from other countries. The union is asking for a $750,000 legal fund and asking the university to continue paying researchers who are temporarily stranded outside the U.S. due to visa issues. They're also seeking reimbursement for visa-related fees. A UC spokesperson says the university values its international student employees and continues to negotiate in good faith.
