The Trump administration has decided that for the fall semester, immigrant students can remain in the United States only for face-to-face school. If their school is online only, then they must transfer to a school with in-person instruction or leave the country.

The administration is continuing to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to restrict immigration.

Foreign students attending U.S. colleges will have to leave the country or transfer to “a school with in-person instruction” if their college operates entirely online this fall, according to new federal regulations. https://t.co/yvfAw5iCrX

— NPR (@NPR) July 7, 2020

Some colleges have yet to decide whether their classes will be online or in person. NPR writes:

“And for students enrolled in schools that have already announced plans to operate fully online, there is no choice. Under the new rules, the State Department will not issue them visas, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not allow them to enter the country.“

The American Council on Education called on ICE to rethink its position, according to Politico.

“ICE should allow any international student with a valid visa to continue their education regardless of whether a student is receiving his or her education online, in person, or through a combination of both, whether in the United States or in their home country, during this unprecedented global health crisis.”

ICE is now trying to deport students enrolled in colleges and universities that are teaching exclusively online due to COVID-19.

This is needlessly cruel and must be challenged in court. https://t.co/aEVnrneIt2

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) July 6, 2020