Policy change on international students is misguided, say US universities and lawmakers

Many Congressman and top educational institutions criticised the policy change that will need international students who are in the United States with an F-1 visa to take at least one in-person course or else face the prospect of being deported.

Although the State Department said that many international students who had planned to study this fall in the US may still have the opportunity to do so.

The State Department's statement comes a day after the new guideline generated panic among international students, the most significant number of whom come from China and India.

Congressman Bennie Thompson, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, chairwoman of the Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Subcommittee, said in a joint statement that the new policy would damage the economy, harm US institutions, and do nothing to improve America's safety or security.

"There is no possible legitimate reason for the (Trump) administration's inflexibility toward international students attending colleges and universities that adopt 'online-only' policies – the Administration seems to want them to leave," the two lawmakers stated.

International students contribute billions of dollars to the US economy and barring them from our country will deprive Americans of badly needed income. "We cannot allow President Trump to continue destroying jobs and cause needless suffering to satisfy his anti-immigrant base. We oppose this reckless policy and the lasting harm it will cause to universities and communities across the country," they added.

Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne expressed concern that the decision will create more uncertainty and complexity for international students.

He said, "Our international students must be able to continue making progress toward completing their degrees, and as a university, we intend to support them in doing so. We will be working with our peers and national associations to understand how best to accomplish that in the context of these new rules, as well as to urge the Administration to rethink its position."

The State Department, which issues visas to international students, however, said the decision is temporary. "This will allow a mixture of both in-person and some online coursework to meet the requirements for nonimmigrant student status," it said.

This temporary accommodation provides greater flexibility for nonimmigrant students to continue their education in the United States, while also allowing for proper social distancing on open and operating campuses across America, the State Department added.

"International students will still have to obtain the appropriate visa and may still be subject to other visa processing or travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Students should check with the local US embassy or consulate for information specific to their country," it also said.

In a statement, the Embassy of India Student Hub encouraged students to monitor their university's official channels for university/program-specific information and to remain in contact with their university DSOs for additional questions.

"We will issue updates in the coming days as we receive more clarity on this broadcast message," it said.

Congresswoman Debbie Dengell urged the Department of Homeland Security to review its decision.

"Removing these students due to circumstances beyond their control is senseless and concerning. There does not appear to be any public benefit to the US; it will harm the quality of education students receive because of the many logistical challenges, while not in the classroom many remain on campus and in the community contributing to educations and cultural experiences in many other ways. Many have already signed leases and paid tuition as well," she said.

She added, Among all the uncertainty, it's disturbing that the federal government would initiate removal proceedings for international students especially given it is a reversal of an earlier decision taken by the agency at the onset of the pandemic, she said.

"Online courses are safe and sensible ways for universities to protect their students while continuing to provide a quality education while scientists study the best way to ensure students can learn in a safe environment," the Congresswoman said.

"With the high probability that the coronavirus pandemic will continue to make distance learning the predominant mode of instruction at colleges