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Trump Visa Rules Seen as Way to Pressure Colleges on Reopening Trump Visa Rules Seen as Way to Pressure Colleges on Reopening
(7 days later)
LOS ANGELES — A directive by the Trump administration that would strip international college students of their U.S. visas if their coursework was entirely online prompted widespread confusion on Tuesday as students scrambled to clarify their statuses and universities reassessed their fall reopening policies amid the coronavirus pandemic.LOS ANGELES — A directive by the Trump administration that would strip international college students of their U.S. visas if their coursework was entirely online prompted widespread confusion on Tuesday as students scrambled to clarify their statuses and universities reassessed their fall reopening policies amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The White House measure, announced on Monday, was seen as an effort to pressure universities into reopening their gates and abandoning the cautious approaches that many have announced they would adopt to reduce Covid-19 transmission.The White House measure, announced on Monday, was seen as an effort to pressure universities into reopening their gates and abandoning the cautious approaches that many have announced they would adopt to reduce Covid-19 transmission.
The effect may be to dramatically reduce the number of international students enrolling in the fall. Together with delays in processing visas as a result of the pandemic, immigrant advocates say the new rules, which must still be finalized this month, might discourage many overseas students from attending American universities, where they often pay full tuition.The effect may be to dramatically reduce the number of international students enrolling in the fall. Together with delays in processing visas as a result of the pandemic, immigrant advocates say the new rules, which must still be finalized this month, might discourage many overseas students from attending American universities, where they often pay full tuition.
“The financial repercussions to institutions are potentially very traumatic,” said Daniel J. Hurley, chief executive of the Michigan Association of State Universities, which represents the state’s public universities. He cited studies showing that 33,236 international students contributed $1.2 billion to Michigan’s economy in 2018.“The financial repercussions to institutions are potentially very traumatic,” said Daniel J. Hurley, chief executive of the Michigan Association of State Universities, which represents the state’s public universities. He cited studies showing that 33,236 international students contributed $1.2 billion to Michigan’s economy in 2018.
Janet Napolitano, the president of the University of California system and a former Homeland Security secretary under President Barack Obama, described the rule as a “double whammy” that would probably result in budget cuts at many schools, which have already suffered financially during the pandemic.Janet Napolitano, the president of the University of California system and a former Homeland Security secretary under President Barack Obama, described the rule as a “double whammy” that would probably result in budget cuts at many schools, which have already suffered financially during the pandemic.
“Universities don’t need any extra pressure to reopen,” Ms. Napolitano said. “I think most universities would love to reopen and be fully in-person on classes and have their dorms fully occupied.”“Universities don’t need any extra pressure to reopen,” Ms. Napolitano said. “I think most universities would love to reopen and be fully in-person on classes and have their dorms fully occupied.”
But the concern that their campuses could become coronavirus clusters has prompted many universities to adopt measures to reduce exposure, from requiring masks in classrooms to limiting social activities to reducing the number of students invited back to campus. Many have announced a hybrid approach that would provide some in-person classes but offer a significant amount of coursework virtually.But the concern that their campuses could become coronavirus clusters has prompted many universities to adopt measures to reduce exposure, from requiring masks in classrooms to limiting social activities to reducing the number of students invited back to campus. Many have announced a hybrid approach that would provide some in-person classes but offer a significant amount of coursework virtually.
Such changes could put foreign students’ visas, known as F-1 visas, at risk under the new rules. International students whose universities are not planning in-person classes — which is currently the case at schools including the University of Southern California and Harvard — would be required to return to their home countries if they are already in the United States. Those overseas would not be granted permission to enter the country to take online coursework here.Such changes could put foreign students’ visas, known as F-1 visas, at risk under the new rules. International students whose universities are not planning in-person classes — which is currently the case at schools including the University of Southern California and Harvard — would be required to return to their home countries if they are already in the United States. Those overseas would not be granted permission to enter the country to take online coursework here.
On Wednesday, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which also plans mostly online classes, sued the administration in federal court, saying the directive would prevent many of their international students from remaining in the country while studying online. The suit seeks a temporary restraining order and injunction preventing the government from enforcing the policy, saying it was improperly implemented.On Wednesday, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which also plans mostly online classes, sued the administration in federal court, saying the directive would prevent many of their international students from remaining in the country while studying online. The suit seeks a temporary restraining order and injunction preventing the government from enforcing the policy, saying it was improperly implemented.
Harvard’s president, Lawrence S. Bacow, called the rule from Immigration and Customs Enforcement cruel and reckless and said in a statement that it appeared to have been designed to pressure universities to hold in-person classes “without regard to concerns for the health and safety of students, instructors and others.”Harvard’s president, Lawrence S. Bacow, called the rule from Immigration and Customs Enforcement cruel and reckless and said in a statement that it appeared to have been designed to pressure universities to hold in-person classes “without regard to concerns for the health and safety of students, instructors and others.”
The Massachusetts attorney general, Maura Healey, said she would also challenge the rules in court. “Massachusetts is home to thousands of international students who should not fear deportation or be forced to put their health and safety at risk in order to advance their education,” she said in a statement.The Massachusetts attorney general, Maura Healey, said she would also challenge the rules in court. “Massachusetts is home to thousands of international students who should not fear deportation or be forced to put their health and safety at risk in order to advance their education,” she said in a statement.
Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, the acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, defended the order in an interview Tuesday on CNN, saying that the administration was providing more flexibility for international students than in the past, when they could only take one online course to qualify for visas. Now they can take more, as long as at least some of their instruction is in person.Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, the acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, defended the order in an interview Tuesday on CNN, saying that the administration was providing more flexibility for international students than in the past, when they could only take one online course to qualify for visas. Now they can take more, as long as at least some of their instruction is in person.
“If they’re not going to be a student or they’re going to be 100 percent online, then they don’t have a basis to be here,” Mr. Cuccinelli said, adding, “They should go home, and then they can return when the school opens.”“If they’re not going to be a student or they’re going to be 100 percent online, then they don’t have a basis to be here,” Mr. Cuccinelli said, adding, “They should go home, and then they can return when the school opens.”
To maintain their status, many international students raced this week to enroll in in-person classes, even if they were not connected to their majors, and students at nearly a dozen universities started an online spreadsheet so that American students could try to swap in-person course spots with their foreign classmates.To maintain their status, many international students raced this week to enroll in in-person classes, even if they were not connected to their majors, and students at nearly a dozen universities started an online spreadsheet so that American students could try to swap in-person course spots with their foreign classmates.
“There’s slim pickings for classes, and they all filled up so fast once the news came out that we’re pretty much left with no option,” said Rhea Joshi, an Indian citizen and rising senior at the University of California, Los Angeles, who is seeking a swap.“There’s slim pickings for classes, and they all filled up so fast once the news came out that we’re pretty much left with no option,” said Rhea Joshi, an Indian citizen and rising senior at the University of California, Los Angeles, who is seeking a swap.
Loay Alem, 19, an engineering student from Saudi Arabia, said he had put down a $1,000 security deposit on an apartment for the fall, enrolled in several online courses and paid tuition at U.C.L.A., which had about 5,800 international students last academic year. “I was all set to start sophomore year,” he said.Loay Alem, 19, an engineering student from Saudi Arabia, said he had put down a $1,000 security deposit on an apartment for the fall, enrolled in several online courses and paid tuition at U.C.L.A., which had about 5,800 international students last academic year. “I was all set to start sophomore year,” he said.
Then on Monday, he read in a group chat about the new guidelines. “I realized that I might be deported back to my home country,” he said. “It was so absurd, so insane.”Then on Monday, he read in a group chat about the new guidelines. “I realized that I might be deported back to my home country,” he said. “It was so absurd, so insane.”
Although higher education officials saw the move by the Trump administration as an attempt to force their hands on reopening, which President Trump has pushed for, the directive also holds appeal to groups that favor reducing legal immigration to the United States.Although higher education officials saw the move by the Trump administration as an attempt to force their hands on reopening, which President Trump has pushed for, the directive also holds appeal to groups that favor reducing legal immigration to the United States.
Those advocates have pressed the administration to tighten the program that issues student visas and work permits, claiming it provides an avenue for immigrants to stay in the country after graduation and compete for American jobs.Those advocates have pressed the administration to tighten the program that issues student visas and work permits, claiming it provides an avenue for immigrants to stay in the country after graduation and compete for American jobs.
Rosemary Jenks, the director of government relations for NumbersUSA, a group that lobbies for fewer immigrants in the United States, said that by forcing international students to leave the country, the new rule could help close a pipeline of students who obtain authorization to temporarily work in the United States for 12 months after graduation.Rosemary Jenks, the director of government relations for NumbersUSA, a group that lobbies for fewer immigrants in the United States, said that by forcing international students to leave the country, the new rule could help close a pipeline of students who obtain authorization to temporarily work in the United States for 12 months after graduation.
But Ms. Jenks said she did not see the policy announced on Monday as an “earth-shattering new position,” but one that clarified existing law.But Ms. Jenks said she did not see the policy announced on Monday as an “earth-shattering new position,” but one that clarified existing law.
“It could have the effect of reducing the number of foreign students,” Ms. Jenks said. “There’s a lot that’s still up in the air.”“It could have the effect of reducing the number of foreign students,” Ms. Jenks said. “There’s a lot that’s still up in the air.”
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
The United States has long attracted a bevy of international students, and in recent years they have become a key source of funding for both private and state colleges and universities, as many have struggled with reduced U.S. enrollment and state funding.The United States has long attracted a bevy of international students, and in recent years they have become a key source of funding for both private and state colleges and universities, as many have struggled with reduced U.S. enrollment and state funding.
At some universities, international students account for a third of the undergraduate student body, and they represent the majority of students in many graduate programs. More than a million international students were issued visas to study in the United States last year.At some universities, international students account for a third of the undergraduate student body, and they represent the majority of students in many graduate programs. More than a million international students were issued visas to study in the United States last year.
In March, as the coronavirus outbreak forced universities to abruptly close their campuses, the Trump administration offered those students flexibility, allowing them to remain legally in the United States, said Dan Berger, a lawyer who specializes in academic immigration.In March, as the coronavirus outbreak forced universities to abruptly close their campuses, the Trump administration offered those students flexibility, allowing them to remain legally in the United States, said Dan Berger, a lawyer who specializes in academic immigration.
“All that flexibility is being pulled back now,” he said. If students attending universities with online classes wish to remain in the country, they will have to transfer to an institution that offers in-person courses, which is virtually impossible given the short notice.“All that flexibility is being pulled back now,” he said. If students attending universities with online classes wish to remain in the country, they will have to transfer to an institution that offers in-person courses, which is virtually impossible given the short notice.
New York University has one of the highest enrollments of international students in the country, with nearly 20,000 last academic year. Its president, Andrew Hamilton, said he believed that the school’s hybrid program would allow most of its foreign students to attend at least one in-person class.New York University has one of the highest enrollments of international students in the country, with nearly 20,000 last academic year. Its president, Andrew Hamilton, said he believed that the school’s hybrid program would allow most of its foreign students to attend at least one in-person class.
But he criticized the administration for adding to the uncertainty for students and universities during the pandemic, calling the policy “just plain wrong and needlessly rigid” in a statement. “If there were a moment for flexibility in delivering education, this would be it,” he added.But he criticized the administration for adding to the uncertainty for students and universities during the pandemic, calling the policy “just plain wrong and needlessly rigid” in a statement. “If there were a moment for flexibility in delivering education, this would be it,” he added.
At the University of Arizona, where nearly 4,000 international students were enrolled last academic year, Brent White, the vice provost for global affairs, said the school would ensure that such students are all able to take in-person classes and remain in the United States.At the University of Arizona, where nearly 4,000 international students were enrolled last academic year, Brent White, the vice provost for global affairs, said the school would ensure that such students are all able to take in-person classes and remain in the United States.
“Even if the circumstances due to Covid-19 are that most people have to be online,” he said, “we have enough space that we think we can accommodate requirements that international students have in-person participation.”“Even if the circumstances due to Covid-19 are that most people have to be online,” he said, “we have enough space that we think we can accommodate requirements that international students have in-person participation.”
Deepasha Debnath, 22, was born in India but has lived in the United States for all but eight years of her life. Originally, she was a dependent of her parents, who are in the country on work visas. But a year ago, she had to obtain a student visa to remain.Deepasha Debnath, 22, was born in India but has lived in the United States for all but eight years of her life. Originally, she was a dependent of her parents, who are in the country on work visas. But a year ago, she had to obtain a student visa to remain.
She is now in her last semester at San Francisco State University, where she is completing a bachelor’s degree in visual communication design. But her department has switched to all online classes for the fall semester.She is now in her last semester at San Francisco State University, where she is completing a bachelor’s degree in visual communication design. But her department has switched to all online classes for the fall semester.
The new guidance means that she would have to return to her country of birth, which she left when she was a little girl, and leave her family behind.The new guidance means that she would have to return to her country of birth, which she left when she was a little girl, and leave her family behind.
“After 14 years of living in the United States, my native country is foreign to me,” she said.“After 14 years of living in the United States, my native country is foreign to me,” she said.
Miriam Jordan reported from Los Angeles, Zolan Kanno-Youngs from Washington and Dan Levin from New York. Reporting was contributed by Anemona Hartocollis from New York, Erica L. Green from Washington and Caitlin Dickerson from McAllen, Texas.Miriam Jordan reported from Los Angeles, Zolan Kanno-Youngs from Washington and Dan Levin from New York. Reporting was contributed by Anemona Hartocollis from New York, Erica L. Green from Washington and Caitlin Dickerson from McAllen, Texas.