Trump Administration Rescinds Policy Requiring International Students to Take In-Person Classes

Late today, the Trump administration rescinded its policy requiring F-1 and M-1 international students to take at least some of their classes in person during the Fall 2020 semester – or leave the country. The policy provoked an immediate, widespread backlash in the higher education and business communities, and gave rise to lawsuits from a number of universities and 18 states. Many saw the policy as an attempt by the administration to force schools to reopen even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 The government reached an agreement with Harvard and M.I.T. (the first universities to file suit) that it would not enforce the policy. Instead, F-1 and M-1 international students will be allowed to maintain their visa statuses even while taking some or all of their classes online.