How will the July 7, 2020 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency announcement affect international students?

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency has rescinded an announcement made in early July that would have prevented international students from returning to the United States to complete online-only educational programs.

As of July 27, guidance from the Federal Government indicates that students who are continuing their studies at an institution in the United States, regardless of whether the program is in-person or online, can return to those institutions as long as they have maintained their immigration status.

ICE has published the Clarifying Questions for Fall 2020 Based On March 9 Spring Guidance Broadcast(PDF) and Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19 (PDF) for additional guidance. NAFSA: Association for International Educators, the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education, has also published SEVP COVID-19 Guidance for Fall 2020 on its website. Please see guidance from these organizations for the most recent information on this topic.

If you are a new or returning international student at W&J, please contact the Office of International Initiatives for assistance.