On July 6th, ICE announced that all F-1 and M-1 visa holders (mainly International Students) must take 9 credits of in-person classes to be permitted to stay in the US. Here’s the link for the ICE announcement: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/sevp-modifies-temporary-exemptions-nonimmigrant-students-taking-online-courses-during.
This is in reckless disregard for the safety of all our students, forcing universities to offer in-person classes hence exposing students to a level of health risk that is not acceptable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Denying international students’ visa status not only puts their ability to pursue higher education in jeopardy, but also puts undue pressure on universities already struggling with financial and enrollment challenges in the midst of global pandemic.
Students’ safety is our top priority and we strongly oppose such an arbitrary and absurd policy that will paralyze our ability to protect our students and ourselves during this Covid-19 pandemic.
Thus, our official stand is:
We strongly advocate to extend the Temporary procedural adaptations placed for spring and summer of 2020 to fall 2020 and spring 2021. The procedural adaptations were implemented because it was believed that spring and summer of 2020 would be during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. Contrary to its own prediction, the COVID-19 infection and death rates are still increasing rapidly without any indication of slowing down.
KACA demands ICE to rescind this decision in light of protecting everyone until the health risk is no longer a grave threat to this country.
Korean American Communication Association
