July 14, 2020

HACU statement on reversal of ICE guidance on international students

Today the White House rescinded the July 6, 2020, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) guidance that prohibits international students from returning to or remaining in the United States if the institutions they attend adopt online-only instruction models amid the pandemic.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has released the following statement in response to the decision:

“HACU applauds the decision to rescind ICE’s guidance that would have forced international students to leave the country, or transfer to an institution offering in-person classes, if their campus opted to offer its courses online as a result of the pandemic,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “We are grateful to the colleges and universities that worked diligently on behalf of the affected students across the country. This decision, that allows international students to continue their higher education pursuits in the U.S., is a step in the right direction as it places the health and safety of students and all campus personnel first.”