Hunter
07/08/20
International students studying at the University of Iowa and other institutes of higher learning may be forced to return to their home company by Thanksgiving if the school moves ahead with its plan to go totally online at the end of the fall semester.
The Student Exchange Visitor Program, a part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has made modifications that would require international students who are enrolled in all-online courses at their school due to the coronavirus pandemic to leave the country by the fall semester or transfer to a school that offers face-to-face instruction. Students who fail to comply risk deportation.
The University of Iowa plans a mix of online courses for classes of 50 or more, and in-person classes until Thanksgiving break. After that, the fall semester will conclude entirely online.
The Daily Iowan reports that UI International Student and Scholar Services advises that students need to take at least one in-person course to keep their Student and Exchange Visitor status active. It advises that after Thanksgiving, it may be necessary for international students to leave the United States, but adds that it’s seeking further guidance on that point.
International student Mishma Nixon from Sri Lanka tells the DI that she’s unsure she would be able to go back home, as the country has closed their borders. She also says she and her fellow students would not only miss out on going to classes, but jobs, friendships, and student organizations they’re involved in.