ICE: international students enrolled in online-only classes to leave U.S.
MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced that nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students taking an online course load will no longer be able to remain in the United States.
This announcement comes as many colleges and universities consider holding more courses online in the Fall 2020 semester.
Officials say these international students currently residing in the U.S. must leave the country or enroll in a school that plans to hold in-person classes.
Central Coast schools are already planning to accommodate the new regulations."Our campus will do all that we can to support our students while complying with these changes and minimizing disruption to coursework and research at UCSC. This is an evolving situation and we are exploring all options," said Scott Hernandez-Jason with the University of California Santa Cruz.
Around 2,000 international students are enrolled at the University of California Santa Cruz. Hernandez-Jason said the schools plans to move forward with mostly online instruction during the Fall semester. Classes will only be held in-person if instruction depends on it.
California State University Monterey Bay serves 120 international students. "Our international students are an essential part of the Otter family. We are disheartened to learn about the new ICE policy while faced with the disruption and danger of the pandemic. We will connect with our international students directly, providing information and support," said CSUMB President, Eduardo Ochoa.
