Thousands of international students move to Florida every year to seize the rewarding opportunities the United States higher education system provides. In turn, they better state campuses by diversifying them and adding a fresh, valuable perspective to these academic environments. Title IX policies are just as applicable to international students as they are to students who are native Floridians. This is the case with both accusers, known as “complainants,” and the accused, referred to as “respondents.”
Title IX allegations can have dire consequences for any student accused of sexual misconduct. However, international students must be aware of how Title IX policies specifically affect them.
Understanding Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments is a federal civil rights law that protects all students from gender-based discrimination in federally funded colleges and universities, regardless of national origin, immigration status, or citizen status. Sexual misconduct in all of its forms - sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, etc. - is considered gender-based discrimination in accordance with this law. Therefore, under current guidelines, institutions are required to promptly and fairly adjudicate all complaints alleging this misconduct.
The Effects of Sexual Misconduct Allegations on Florida International Students
Being a respondent in sexual misconduct cases already comes with its inherent disadvantages. For example, most respondents report being treated less favorably than complainants despite the fact that Title IX endorses that the interests of both students are to be equally catered to.
But being a respondent who is an international student comes with unique challenges. International students may experience alienation, not only due to the nature of the Title IX system but as a result of being unfamiliar with certain American customs. Many international students may not be aware of the expectations, rights, and obligations bestowed upon an accused student. And for international students who may not understand things like the burden of proof and investigatory procedures in the Title IX process and hearings, being accused can be a very confusing situation.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations and Student Visas
The unfortunate reality is that international students have more to lose than native students when accused of sexual misconduct.
To study in the United States, international students must acquire a student visa. For this visa to remain effective, international students must fulfill the requirement of maintaining a full-time course load, which is equivalent to at least 12 academic credit hours per semester. Accusations of sexual misconduct can bring your education to a temporary halt depending on the circumstances, or a permanent halt due to expulsion - which can happen if an international student is found “responsible” for said misconduct. Overall, sexual misconduct allegations can lead an international student to lose their visa.
Florida Title IX Advisor for Student Defense
The stakes are incredibly high for international students accused of sexual misconduct in Florida schools. A responsible finding will derail your academic and professional plans. If you're an international student who believes that they are innocent and is seeking help, it's important you reach out to an attorney. Attorney Joseph D. Lento of the Lento Law Firm can help you make sense of your situation and give you options that will increase your chances of a favorable outcome- contact him today.
Florida colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your international student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Acupuncture and Massage College
- AI Miami International University of Art and Design
- American InterContinental University South Florida
- Argosy University Sarasota
- Argosy University Tampa
- Ave Maria University
- Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology
- Barry University
- Beacon College
- Bethune Cookman University
- Brevard Community College
- Broward College
- Brown Mackie College Miami
- Carlos Albizu University Miami
- CBT College Cutler Bay
- Centura Institute
- Chamberlain College of Nursing Florida
- Chipola College
- City College Altamonte Springs
- City College Fort Lauderdale
- City College Gainesville
- City College Miami
- College of Business and Technology Flagler
- College of Business and Technology Hialeah
- College of Business and Technology Kendall
- College of Central Florida
- Daytona State College
- DeVry University Florida
- Digital Media Arts College
- Eckerd College
- Edison State College
- Edward Waters College
- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
- Everest Institute Fort Lauderdale
- Everest Institute Hialeah
- Everest Institute Kendall
- Everest Institute North Miami
- Everest University Brandon
- Everest University Jacksonville
- Everest University Lakeland
- Everest University Largo
- Everest University Melbourne
- Everest University North Orlando
- Everest University Orange Park
- Everest University Pompano Beach
- Everest University South Orlando
- Everest University Tampa
- Everglades University
- Flagler College St Augustine
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Career College Clearwater
- Florida Career College Miami
- Florida Christian College
- Florida College
- Florida Gateway College
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Florida International University
- Florida Keys Community College
- Florida Memorial University
- Florida National College Main Campus
- Florida Southern College
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Florida State University
- Fortis College
- Fortis College Largo
- Fortis College Miami
- Fortis College Tampa
- Fortis College Winter Park
- Fortis Institute Pensacola
- Full Sail University
- Golf Academy of America Altamonte Springs
- Gulf Coast State College
- Herzing University Winter Park
- Hillsborough Community College
- Hobe Sound Bible College
- Hodges University
- Indian River State College
- International Academy of Design and Technology Online
- International Academy of Design and Technology Orlando
- International Academy of Design and Technology Tampa
- ITT Technical Institute Fort Lauderdale
- ITT Technical Institute Fort Myers
- ITT Technical Institute Jacksonville
- ITT Technical Institute Lake Mary
- ITT Technical Institute Miami
- ITT Technical Institute Orlando
- ITT Technical Institute St. Petersburg
- ITT Technical Institute Tallahassee
- ITT Technical Institute Tampa
- ITT Technical Institute University Park
- Jacksonville University
- Johnson & Wales University North Miami
- Jones College Jacksonville
- Jose Maria Vargas University
- Keiser University
- Key College
- Lake Sumter Community College
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Miami
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Orlando
- Lincoln College of Technology West Palm Beach
- Lynn University
- Medvance Institute Fort Lauderdale
- Medvance Institute Miami
- Medvance Institute West Palm
- Miami Ad School Miami Beach
- Miami Dade College
- Millennia Atlantic University
- New College of Florida
- North Florida Community College
- Northwest Florida State College
- Northwood University Florida
- Nova Southeastern University
- Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
- Palm Beach State College
- Pasco Hernando Community College
- Pensacola State College
- Polk State College
- Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Miami Campus
- Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando
- Remington College
- Remington College Tampa Campus
- Ringling College of Art and Design
- Rollins College
- Saint John Vianney College Seminary
- Saint Johns River State College
- Saint Leo University
- Saint Thomas University
- Sanford Brown Institute Ft Lauderdale
- Sanford Brown Institute Jacksonville
- Sanford Brown Institute Orlando
- Sanford Brown Institute Tampa
- Santa Fe College
- Schiller International University
- Seminole State College of Florida
- South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary
- South Florida Community College
- South University Tampa
- South University West Palm Beach
- Southeastern College
- Southeastern College
- Southeastern University
- Southwest Florida College
- St Petersburg College
- State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota
- Stenotype Institute of Jacksonville Inc. Jacksonville
- Stenotype Institute of Jacksonville Inc. Orlando
- Stetson University
- Tallahassee Community College
- Talmudic College of Florida
- Taylor College
- The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
- The Baptist College of Florida
- The University of Tampa
- The University of West Florida
- Trinity Baptist College
- Trinity College of Florida
- Trinity International University Florida
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of Fort Lauderdale
- University of Miami
- University of North Florida
- University of Phoenix Central Florida Campus
- University of Phoenix North Florida Campus
- University of Phoenix South Florida Campus
- University of Phoenix West Florida Campus
- University of South Florida Main Campus
- University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus
- Valencia College
- Virginia College Jacksonville
- Virginia College Pensacola
- Warner University
- Webber International University
- Yeshivah Gedolah Rabbinical College
All students must be extremely mindful when accused of sexual misconduct at their college or university; international students in particular, however, can have even more concerns at all stage of Title IX proceedings because the stakes are higher yet – When first contacted by their school's Title IX office, when a sexual misconduct investigation begins, when facing a hearing or appeal, or when seeking further recourse by filing a Title IX complaint with the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights when necessary. For international students who are facing a Title IX case and their families, it is critical to take the necessary precautions as soon as possible, including having an experienced attorney advisor, when accused of sexual misconduct. Unfortunately, some international students, not being as familiar what is at stake and also their rights in the process, will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," everything will work out. Title IX cases can be won, but international students and their families must recognize, however, that achieving a favorable in a Title IX case requires a dedicated and intensive approach best handled by a professional who has a track record of successes in the Title IX disciplinary arena.
Fighting passionately for the future of international students at colleges and universities throughout the nation for over a decade, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an international student's academic and professional future and Visa is on the line. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX advisor to international students facing sexual misconduct investigations and disciplinary cases in Florida and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
