No new visas for foreign students if classes go online: US

The United States on Monday (July 6) said that it wouldn’t allow international students to stay in the country if their schools switch to online classes this fall. Under the new guidelines of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, such students will be forced to leave the US or transfer to another college.

The guidelines, provide additional pressure for universities to reopen even amid growing concerns about the recent spread of COVID-19 among young adults.

Colleges received the guidance the same day that some institutions, including Harvard University, announced that all instruction will be offered remotely.

President Donald Trump has insisted that schools and colleges return to in-person instruction as soon as possible. Soon after the guidance was released, Trump repeated on Twitter that schools must reopen this fall, adding that Democrats want to keep schools closed for political reasons, not for health reasons.

The new rules mandate international students to take at some of their classes in person. New visas will not be issued to students at schools or programmes that are entirely online. And even at colleges offering a mix of in-person and online courses this fall, international students will be barred from taking all their classes online.

Related news: US will need to take a different approach to China: Pompeo

It creates an urgent dilemma for thousands of international students who became stranded in the US last spring after the coronavirus forced their schools to move online.

Those attending schools that are staying online must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction, the guidelines say.

The American Council on Education, which represents university presidents, said the guidelines are horrifying” and will result in confusion as schools look for ways to reopen safely.

Of particular concern is a stipulation saying students won’t be exempt from the rules even if an outbreak forces their schools online during the fall term.

It’s unclear what would happen if a student ended up in that scenario but faced travel restrictions from their home country, said Terry Hartle, the councils senior vice president.

(With inputs from agencies)