Restrictions on student visas

The Trump administration has focused heavily on reducing the number of immigrants entering the country since 2017. Nowadays, restrictions on immigration policies have increased considerably in recent months due to the massive outbreak of Coronavirus in the US.

The latest move by the Trump government regarding immigration was directed at the education sector. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced new restrictions for foreign student visa holders.

The new measures declare that:

• If the country’s schools and universities do not offer a portion of face-to-face classes during the fall, they will not be able to receive foreign students.
• International students must attend educational institutions that offer face-to-face classes, otherwise they must leave the US or face deportation proceedings.

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The repercussions of these new restrictions

The response from the most recognized universities of the country was immediate and they expressed their complete disagreement with the restrictions implemented in the midst of the global Coronavirus pandemic.

In fact, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a lawsuit against ICE’s policies.

These institutions argue that putting the health of both students and teachers at risk is unnecessary when there is a possibility of using virtual methodology while the threat to public health diminishes.

The Trump administration states that putting pressure on universities to return to face-to-face classes during the fall will boost the local economy.

However, universities make the counter-argument that international students are a primary part of the economy of the education sector. Therefore, threatening to deport them only worsens the current crisis.

Our experienced attorneys can assist you with your Deportation Case.

17 states file another lawsuit against student restrictions

Aside from the lawsuit filed by Harvard and MIT, 17 states and the District of Columbia joined together to file another lawsuit against the “cruel, abrupt, and unlawful action to expel international students or force campuses to be less safe amidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that has wrought death and disruption across the United States”.

The official document states that more than 20 educational institutions are part of the complaint and are intended to challenge restrictions on student visas and protect the health and integrity of international students.

The official statement argues that during 2019, foreign students invested approximately $ 14 billion in the US education sector. Therefore, expelling them or sanctioning educational institutions for not offering face-to-face classes during the fall is going to strongly harm the country.

The states involved in the official lawsuit assure that any decision taken by educational institutions will have negative repercussions:

1. On the one hand, if the universities agree to follow the restrictions implemented by the Trump government, the health of employees, teachers and students (both local and foreign) will be at risk.
   In addition to that, that could lead to another massive outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.
2. On the other hand, if the universities do not follow the parameters of the Trump government, they will lose the valuable presence of international students who bring not only economic investment, but innovation, competitiveness, effort and inspiration.

The Trump administration has not responded

Despite countless criticism stemming from restrictions on student visas, the Trump administration has not given an official response to these lawsuits.

It is only a matter of time while the court intervenes in the case and makes the most appropriate decision following the guidelines of local laws.

Seek Reliable Help

Due to the fact that immigration policies have changed abruptly in the past few months, it is best to have the constant accompaniment of experts in order for your immigration application to be successful.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.