The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, has alerted foreign students who will not be able to physically attend college classes that they cannot remain in the country. The announcement comes after universities have begun to announce they will only offer online classes this fall.
The release from ICE provides slim options for foreign students, which would either land them into classes during the pandemic or online learning from a different country. If students are already online in a university that will operate online, those classes are to be taken in a different country.
The new rules issued by the State Department will restrict access to visas and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will now allow for access to the country.
“Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status,” a statement from ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program reads. “If not, they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings.”
CBS News reports this past Spring, ICE allowed an exemption to foreign students for more online classes due to the growth of the coronavirus pandemic.
The full set of guidelines can be read here.
