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Feds Rescind Online Study Restrictions for International Students

The Trump administration has dropped its effort to require international students to leave the U.S. if their schools will offer only online instruction this fall.  The move came after a number of universities filed suit to stop implementation of the rule. It took only two minutes in a Boston Federal District Courtroom for the opposing parties - Harvard and MIT on the one hand and the federal government on the other – to reach an agreement.  As a result, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will revert to the guidance issued in March, which allows international students to remain in the U.S. even if their college or university opts for online-only instruction due to health considerations.   

 The March advisories may be found at:

 https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2020/Coronavirus%20Guidance_3.13.20.pdf 

https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bcm2003-01.pdf

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