This week, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced their operational guidance for Fall 2020. It breaks with previous guidance that allowed F-1 international students to study online from within the United States due to the pandemic.
The new policy could force students whose universities are fully online to depart the U.S. or transfer to another school.
This decision disregards how the pandemic has forced schools to contemplate reducing or canceling on-campus classes to protect the health of their communities. It could leave students currently residing in the United States in limbo if they are unable to depart. It also has the potential to disrupt plans for international students who are currently in their home countries.
Although Lesley has not yet fully announced details of its plan for classes in the fall, President Janet L. Steinmayer said, “We are concerned about the impact it could have, not only on our students, but on those enrolled in institutions across the country.”
The policy is likely to be subject to congressional pushback and litigation. The university hopes it will be modified to better address the needs of our international students.
The policy could affect approximately 3 percent of our student body directly.
“This policy impoverishes our university community as a whole, depriving us of international students’ talents, perspectives and contributions,” said Steinmayer.
Our legal counsel and leadership are investigating all options with regard to protecting our international students.
“We stand with our students and will support them in every way we can.” Steinmayer said.
For more information, contact our Global Education Center at global.ed@lesley.edu.