Societies oppose harmful ICE policy for international students

ASA, CSSA, and SSSA joined 67 educational and scientific societies in opposing plans announced by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to modify the exemption to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The letter, sent to the White House, Department of Homeland Security and Department of State, calls on ICE to immediately withdraw the modification that ends the exemption allowing international students to stay in county and take online courses.

When universities shut down this spring in response to the coronavirus pandemic, federal agencies granted flexibility to the existing requirements that international students must take classes in person. However, on July 6 the SEVP program abruptly announced changes to those temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students. The amended policy states that international students who are currently enrolled in online-only programs will need to leave the country immediately or transfer to a school with in-person classes to legally continue their education.

ASA, CSSA, and SSSA also released a statement opposing the policy change and urging the administration to "reverse course and continue to allow maximum flexibility for international students to study at our nation’s colleges and universities during these uncertain times."

After an outpouring of opposition, the Trump administration rescinded the proposed policy that would have stripped visas from international students whose courses move exclusively online amid the coronavirus pandemic.