Pristine Universities Stand Against ICE

On July 6, 2020, the Trump administration and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) decided they would drop the visas of all international students that were taking online classes at universities, due to the pandemic, and send them home.

Article By Ketzia Jimenez

No matter what type of university you are looking at, the current U.S. college admissions process is highly selective. Schools focus on academic performance, test scores, extracurricular activities, and more. This list becomes longer for international students looking at applying to U.S. colleges as they must modify their high school experience based on the American universities in which they want to apply. This includes taking Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses as well as SAT/ACT entrance exams. In addition, students must also take English proficiency exams such as TOEFL. As international students take these classes and exams, they must pay large amounts of money to meet admissions requirements. For example, the TOEFL exam can cost between $180 to $360 dollars and this amount does not factor in current exchange rates. This also shows the financial status international students must meet compared to U.S. citizens. International students reach out and seek these opportunities and/or must make the best of the limited amount of resources they have.

International students also face personal and cultural barriers. Many international students seek American universities for better opportunities and a better way of life. However, leaving their families is a difficult decision that often leads to the possibility of a limited number of times they will be able to see their family due to travel costs. This downside adds to the potential discrimination immigrants may face because of their language, religion, and more. They are adjusting to a new society with its expectations which are stereotypes international students must face and fight against.

Despite the negative treatment many international students will potentially face, they are highly sought after by universities. Many American universities seek them to further diversify the student population of their school. U.S. universities are successful in getting international students to apply through marketing strategies such as portraying the college experience as highly enjoyable. There is no telling what potential discrimination and mental health issues they may face due to these colleges. This may be further elevated as the United States continues to be one of the most affected countries by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Impact on International Students Studying in the US

The COVID-19 pandemic became a harsh reality for college students as the spread of the disease worsened and caused universities to close their campuses. Many students were notified only a few hours or days before they were required to move out of their dorms and go somewhere safe. This situation was sudden for many students, however, the situation was more strenuous for international students who were required to find a safe place to go. On top of that, they were worrying about the safety of their families back home. International students have also had to choose between the options of risking their lives to travel back home to be with their family members, or risk not seeing them for months (potentially years) now.

All of these issues have worried many current and potential international students, especially with the United States’ increasingly hostile political climate. One of the many requirements international students must meet is to have a F1-visa to study in the US. The organization responsible for approving and denying student visas is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. On July 6, 2020, the agency announced that all international students were required to return to their home country if they were taking online courses in the fall instead of on-campus courses. Most college students in the country are altering their schedules into an online format to eliminate the risk of COVID-19 spreading on campuses. In fact, some colleges/universities have completely moved their classes online and do not expect to open their buildings and facilities until the spring 2021 semester.

According to CNBC’s article called, “More than 200 schools, 17 states back lawsuits against Trump administration over international students,” over 200 universities in various states filed a lawsuit against ICE and the Trump administration for their decision requiring international students to attend in-person classes which would risk their health in the midst of a pandemic. Another reason for the lawsuit was ICE’s late notification as the fall 2020 semester begins in August/September which gave colleges/universities a limited time to accommodate ICE’s new directive in their reopening plans. Many colleges/universities quickly responded in disapproval of the new directive resulting in a lawsuit filed by Harvard and MIT on July 8, 2020. Harvard and MIT were later supported by various colleges/universities who filed their own lawsuits as well.

As for college students’ responses, they also took a stand against the agency. Many students displayed their disapproval of ICE’s new directive on social media platforms which were used to spread awareness. Others contacted their college/university and elected officials to inform of their opposition while taking a stand against ICE. Some college students even dropped their in-person classes for an international student to take their spot, so they would meet the new directive’s requirements. Another way college students are responding is by donating and sharing to international students’ donation links.

Due to an overwhelming opposition from colleges/universities, elected officials, and students, on July 14, 2020, the Trump administration and ICE reversed their new directive which could have negatively impacted over one million international students. Although many international students may feel relieved, the concern of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is larger than ever before. As cases spike in the US and there are more travel restrictions against those living in the U.S., many wonder when it will finally be safe to travel back home. International students have to struggle with learning how to adjust to online learning, as well as, worry about the health conditions of their family members back home. Each day brings another 24 hours where more students are facing uncertainty about the life they know. For now, they take relief in knowing that their education won’t be compromised with certain colleges.

Sources

Belasco, A. (2019, October 15). How to Apply to a US College as an International Student. College Transitions. https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/how-to-apply-to-a-us-college-as-an-international-student/

How to Study in the U.S. | USAGov. (2020). USA Gov. https://www.usa.gov/study-in-US

More than 200 schools, 17 states back lawsuits against Trump administration over international student rule. (2020, July 13). CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/13/more-than-200-schools-17-states-back-lawsuits-against-trump-over-international-student-rule.html

Redden, E. (2020, July 1). Survey: International Students’ Worries During the Pandemic. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/07/01/survey-international-students-main-concerns-center-issues-health-safety-and

Sandler, R. (2020, July 10). How Colleges And Students Are Battling ICE’s New Crackdown On Foreign Students. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2020/07/10/how-colleges-and-students-are-battling-ices-new-crackdown-on-foreign-students/#420f568b7159

SEVP modifies temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking. (2020, July 6). ICE. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/sevp-modifies-temporary-exemptions-nonimmigrant-students-taking-online-courses-during