Trump Administration Backpedals on ICE Ban

On July 14th, the Trump administration dropped the ICE ban after a federal lawsuit by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institution of Technology against the Department of Homeland Security. Companies such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter joined forces with Harvard and MIT backed the lawsuit where they argued the value of international students. 

Due to the recent spikes of COVID-19 in many states throughout the United States, last week, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced that international students whose courses are fully online will not be allowed to enter the United States for school in the Fall. 

There are over one million foreigners studying in the United States under an F-1 Visa. Universities and schools across the countries are deciding what instruction is most efficient. For example, Harvard’s plans to only have 40% of the student population will be on campus for the academic year, while the rest are remotely online. 

Despite this reversal, the number of international students most likely will be lower this upcoming academic year. Regardless of the circumstance, the decision by ICE put students at risk. The decision impacted foreign students differently. Because this decision was made in poor timing; time difference, financial aid, and housing are important factors. Not to mention some students’ home countries are in a state of complete lockdown in which they do not have access to, and some live in areas with a poor internet connection. 

Despite this reversal, the amount of international students most likely will be lower this upcoming academic year.

Garret, A. (2020, July 14). Trump reverses ICE ban on foreign students taking classes only online. Cnet. https://www.cnet.com/health/trump-reverses-ice-restrictions-on-foreign-students-taking-online-only-classes/