By Stephen Kidd
This past spring, when universities were shutting down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, ICE issued a temporary exemption, which allowed nonimmigrant international students to stay in the U.S. while their classes went virtual. On July 6, ICE issued a decision that would end temporary visa exemptions for immigrant students whose upcoming coursework will be entirely online.
Under the new decision, international students enrolled in programs that have shifted online for the Fall in order to protect the health of campus communities during the COVID-19 crisis “may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings.”
This is to the detriment of not just international students, but to everyone who benefits from their presence on campus.
Today, NHA is issuing an action alert calling on ICE to reverse this decision and urging Members of Congress to pressure ICE to reverse it. Please take action today and consider distributing the alert and encouraging your colleagues to take action.
Posted on July 8, 2020
Photo Credit
Thumbnail image: Photo by Morrison Photography.