Academics, lawmakers criticise rule
NEWDELHI: Prominent American academicians and lawmakers have reacted sharply to the new US guidelines, calling it as "horrifying" and "cruel." The new regulation drew widespread backlash with many taking to social media to vent their anger. The American Council on Education (ACE), which represents university presidents, said the guidelines are "horrifying" and will result in confusion as schools look for ways to reopen safely. "On its face, the guidance released by the ICE is horrifying. While we would welcome more clarity about international students studying in the United
States, this guidance raises more questions than it answers and unfortunately does more harm than good," ACE President Ted Mitchell said in a statement.
"Regrettably, this guidance provides confusion and complexity rather than certainty and clarity," Mitchell said.
Of particular concern is a stipulation saying students won't be exempt from the rules even if an outbreak forces their schools online during the fall term. It's unclear what would happen if a student ended up in that scenario but faced travel restrictions from their home country, said Terry Hartle, the council's senior vice president.
"ICE is clearly creating an incentive for institutions to reopen, regardless of whether or not the circumstances of the pandemic warrant it." The rule applies to holders of F-1 and M-1 non-immigrant visas, which allow non-immigrant students to pursue academic and vocational coursework, respectively.
Harvard University President Larry Bacow said in a statement that "we are deeply concerned that the guidance issued by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement imposes a blunt, one-size-fits-all approach to a complex problem giving international students, particularly those in online programs, few options beyond leaving the country or transferring schools." More than 1 million of the country's higher education students come from overseas, according to the nonprofit Institute of International Education.
US Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted that “kicking international students out of the US during a global pandemic because their colleges are moving classes online for physical distancing hurts students. It's senseless, cruel, and xenophobic. @Icegov and @Dhsgov must drop this policy immediately.” Senator Bernie Sanders was also quick to attack the new guidelines.
Sanders, the Vermont independent, said the "cruelty of this White House knows no bounds." "Foreign students are being threatened with a choice: risk your life going to class in-person or get deported," Sanders said.