Universities are a talent magnet for students around the world. According to IIE, the number of international students in the US is estimated to be just over one million students, with about 20% coming from India. It has long been understood that the presence of international students in American universities and academic institutions have contributed to cross-cultural understanding, and global scholastic freedom, making the collegiate experience invaluable for both domestic and international students. Additionally, many international students are employed as teaching assistants or research assistants, contributing to the research and innovation at universities, which often lead to the discovery of patents and large-scale research findings which generate millions of dollars in scholarly grants and endowments.

However, this is now in jeopardy. On July 6, the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) declared that international students on F-1 and M-1 visas would be required to leave the country if their college provided online-only instruction this fall.

â€œThis is an irrational, political decision that puts students at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 during an already stressful time in their lives,â€ said Director of Education Shereen Bhalla, PhD, who has studied the international student experience in her doctoral research. â€œThis mandated guidance from ICE is forcing universities to hold in-person classes sooner than it is safe to or risk losing tuition from international students, which is often almost double than what US based students pay, not to mention the billions of dollars they contribute to the US economy.â€

International students abundantly contribute to the diversity and depth of a university in infinite ways. American universities have served as an international globalizing power, spreading ideas and knowledge worldwide. To attract international scholars, the US implemented a novel university design to align teaching and research.

â€œThere are lots of reasons for international students to be in the US aside from the education itself, such as engagement within and outside of the classroom,â€ Dr. Bhalla explains. â€œThis socialization develops the concept of a sophisticated global citizenry, for them and American students.â€ Because of this, international students and faculty add greatly to the richness, diversity of thought, and productivity of US universities.

â€œI strongly urge Congress to reverse the ICE guidance and allow international students with valid visas to remain in the United States. Otherwise, you rob both international and American students of valuable internationalization,â€ Dr. Bhalla concluded.

Read this on the HAF website

ICE decision revokes more than visas for international students