Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
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Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#2I really hope universities can find a loophole around this. Three days of in-class lecture per semester, but allow for three unexcused absences for any reason.
Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#3Nicely timed to deport HK students back there.
Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#4Key quote:
>” Visa requirements for students have always been strict and coming to the US to take online-only courses has been prohibited.”
So it’s a reinforcement of policy rather than change although some institutions would like to see accommodation for this kind of circumstance —which is understandable if students came here with the intent to attend in person, but it’s worth noting the the visa requirements have not changed
Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#5I know this will be very unpleasant and will entail a lot of hardship for a lot of people but I can't help but wonder if in the long term this will help to start reversing the "brain drain" problem that many developing nations are struggling with. They'll still have access to their classes and be able to acquire the requisite skills, but now they'll be building something in their home country not stuck in a middle tier position within the US.
Of course not saying that means the policies made are good or bad, I am just curious to the second order effect this will have.
Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#6The last thing we need right now is to force a bunch people into international air travel. They should not enforce the policy for classes that have been temporarily moved online due to covid.
Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#7Original press release is https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/sevp-modifies-temporary-ex...
Key fact:
- International student cannot legally attend a 100% online school from the US (with an F or M status).
- International student in school with "Hybrid" models (some in person, some online) cannot have a 100% "online semester". The school will need to certify that the student is not taking 100% online classes.
- If a Hybrid school moves to a fully online halfway through, the student needs to depart the US (or transfer to another school)
This only applies for the student to be legally _within_ the US of course.
EDIT: The law already prevented this, basically. Spring and Summer had special exemptions granted by DHS. So this is just a reversal to the "usual policy", which it seems many school expected would not happen (at least not that quickly). My university is scrambling to understand the exact consequences.
Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#8Key quote: >” Visa requirements for students have always been strict and coming to the US to take online-only courses has been prohibited.” So it’s a reinforcement of policy rather than change although some institutions would like to see accommodation for this kind of circumstance —which is understandable if students came here with the intent to attend in person, but it’s worth noting the the visa requirements have n…
Foreign students can only take 1 online class at our institution due to current policy. When we scrambled to move all online during the stay-home orders, one question we didn't have answered was whether or not those students could even stay if we went entirely online.
The policy didn't change at all, it's super restrictive.
What institutions I'm affiliated with are asking is for temporary flexibility during COVID-19. Specific start and end dates based on periodic review of health measures.
And the answer is still a resounding 'no' from any sort of federal representative we can get in touch with.
This, honestly, feels like the federal immigration department is trying to punish schools who are more cautious about opening up like nothing is happening. It tastes bad.
edit: edited to reflect the inaccuracy as pointed out by PeterisP. SEVIS is overseen by ICE, not the department of education. Our representatives for SEVIS are generally connected to the DoE in some fashion. I didn't realize folks wouldn't know that ICE oversees immigrants, and that the Ed Department isn't responsible for making this policy.
Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#9I know this will be very unpleasant and will entail a lot of hardship for a lot of people but I can't help but wonder if in the long term this will help to start reversing the "brain drain" problem that many developing nations are struggling with. They'll still have access to their classes and be able to acquire the requisite skills, but now they'll be building something in their home country not stuck in a middle ti…
Maybe, but I think the main problem is that a middle tier position in the US pays a lot more and provides a higher standard of living than what some can expect in their own home countries.
Re: Int. students may need to leave US if classes are 100% Remote
#10It's truly remarkable how ignorant the US now acts towards foreign students and talents given that a lot of world class scientists, artists and innovators are 1st or 2nd generation immigrants.
I hope this will give Europa and Asia the chance to get some of their emigrated talents back.