We oppose the guidance released by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement this week that requires international students attending U.S. schools, colleges, and universities leave the country if their institutions operate entirely online. International exchange of students has long been a hallmark across higher education worldwide. During this global pandemic, educational institutions are working to support all students, including those international students who have decided to study in the U.S.

The health and safety of all students is of utmost importance during this time; the decision for students to leave the country if coursework is held online runs counter to the mission of education, precisely when the administration is pushing for schools, colleges, and universities to open. Further, many students are in the U.S. for the duration of their education, and this would cause hardship, uncertainty, and stress for international students and their institutions.

We continue to advocate that now, more than ever, education is the most effective away to advance humanity, maintain a civil society and tackle myriad challenges that our world faces. We encourage the administration to reconsider this unnecessary guidance and work with educational institutions to support all students, including the important international student market, during these challenging times.