The Trump administration on Tuesday said it is withdrawing a proposed rule that would have forced foreign students to return home if the college courses they were enrolled in were to be held entirely online when colleges reopen in the fall.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced last week that those on F-1 and M-1 student visas would need to leave the U.S. or transfer to another college if their schools offer classes entirely online when they reopen in the fall. If they do not, they could face deportation proceedings.
“Remember, foreign students aren’t simply studying abroad in the eyes of businesses — they’re soon to be employees under [Optional Practical Training] who are more enticing to them than American college students struggling to find jobs,” FAIR’s head of government relations RJ Hauman told Fox News. “And on the college front, they’re worried that there will be less demand around the world for astronomically high tuition rates if classes are online, instead of including residency with a path to employment and permanent immigration.”
Fox News’ Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Leave a Reply