SEVP modifies temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online courses during fall 2020 semester

[sl1pstream 551]

This seemed new, not sure if it affects anyone, but it seemed like it was worth posting.

 

Quote

WASHINGTON – The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced modifications Monday to temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to publish the procedures and responsibilities in the Federal Register as a Temporary Final Rule.

Temporary exemptions for the fall 2020 semester include:

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/sevp-modifies-temporary-exemptions-nonimmigrant-students-taking-online-courses-during

[Just Paul 4,595]

5 minutes ago, sl1pstream said:

This seemed new, not sure if it affects anyone, but it seemed like it was worth posting.

It was definitely needed as there are F1 students still here and some colleges are doing online only this and fall semester.  1 class/ 3 credit is the current rule.

[sl1pstream 551]

Just now, Paul & Mary said:

It was definitely needed as there are F1 students still here and some colleges are doing online only this and fall semester.  1 class/ 3 credit is the current rule.

It just seems like the timing is weird, with embassies still being closed. There seem to be a lot of students waiting for their visas to be issued, so they can still start school, but this kind of means that they couldn't start online until they're actually able to get to the US.

I wonder if this isn't one of the first clear signs that the embassies will be closed for the foreseeable future.

[Just Paul 4,595]

1 minute ago, sl1pstream said:

It just seems like the timing is weird, with embassies still being closed. There seem to be a lot of students waiting for their visas to be issued, so they can still start school, but this kind of means that they couldn't start online until they're actually able to get to the US.

I wonder if this isn't one of the first clear signs that the embassies will be closed for the foreseeable future.

It is for the students that are already in the US - the temporary rule makes it so the students are not out of status if the school goes to a hybrid model.   If has nothing to do with the new visas being issued or the status of the consulates.

[SETETA 204]

9 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

It is for the students that are already in the US - the temporary rule makes it so the students are not out of status if the school goes to a hybrid model.   If has nothing to do with the new visas being issued or the status of the consulates.

The exception for hybrid is needed but this seems limiting and will be a burden for some. Some students can't even go home now if they want to. "Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status. If not, they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings.

[JeanneAdil 6,583]

17 minutes ago, sl1pstream said:

It just seems like the timing is weird, with embassies still being closed. There seem to be a lot of students waiting for their visas to be issued, so they can still start school, but this kind of means that they couldn't start online until they're actually able to get to the US.

I wonder if this isn't one of the first clear signs that the embassies will be closed for the foreseeable future.

maybe not the embassies but the colleges adopting new teaching methods /college freshman report in August and that doesn't give much time for them to be ready for students in classrooms/  some plan to open with smaller class size/ others say they will wait for the January term /while others are doing classes online and in classroom like those with labs 

the article says those with visas to study can not take more than one course online and keep their status but they can transfer to an acredited college that will open 

when we left Paris March 17th,  all the American students were flying home as things 'shut down and there really was no reason for them to stay and pay rent when their campus closed .  same here ,  if you can't attend class,  why stay?

[geowrian 22,337]

I didn't pickup on the effective date, but as long as it's a reasonable time out, getting a flight shouldn't be an issue. Repatriation flights are still a thing. No that nobody will have an issue, but if there's reasonable time to figure something out, I think the vast majority of students can find a way out.

 

Personally, my concern is for students who live in countries where access to reliable Internet access is difficult to find.

My wife worked in Riyadh, and live video was very unreliable. Back at her home in the Philippines, many areas have no chance of being able to even keep a reliable web-based chat going.

Then add in the IP-based and geolocation filters many websites have, access to resources they need for class will be limited. Professors don't know what is blocked abroad or are expected to know how to resolve those types of issues (like via using a VPN).

[JasonPII 30]

Hi all, just want to confirm that this new rule only applies to current F1 students.

 

I was a F1 student but adjusted my status to a LPR. I'm thinking of going back to school (all online due to Covid). And so this policy doesn't affect a former F1 student in anyway right?

 

Just want to confirm before I start to register for classes.

[geowrian 22,337]

4 minutes ago, JasonPII said:

Hi all, just want to confirm that this new rule only applies to current F1 students.

 

I was a F1 student but adjusted my status to a LPR. I'm thinking of going back to school (all online due to Covid). And so this policy doesn't affect a former F1 student in anyway right?

 

Just want to confirm before I start to register for classes.

Right, it does not impact LPRs.

[SalishSea 17,970]

10 hours ago, SETETA said:

Some students can't even go home now if they want to.

Why not?  

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

I don't understand why everyone on reddit is so angry about this and freaking out. To me its nice there making exemptions and understanding the conditions with the pandemic because the old rule that always applied was if F1 students took more than 1 class online they lost their status and had to return home. Its not even a EO this is what the rules always were. 

[SETETA 204]

3 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Why not?  

There are still many countries whose airspace and international airport is closed.  

[juancarlos 126]

2 hours ago, OrihimeandIchigo said:

I don't understand why everyone on reddit is so angry about this and freaking out. To me its nice there making exemptions and understanding the conditions with the pandemic because the old rule that always applied was if F1 students took more than 1 class online they lost their status and had to return home. Its not even a EO this is what the rules always were. 

They should keep having the exemption while the COVID-19 crisis continues and then lift it once things are better.

[Sm1smom 254]

2 hours ago, OrihimeandIchigo said:

I don't understand why everyone on reddit is so angry about this and freaking out. To me its nice there making exemptions and understanding the conditions with the pandemic because the old rule that always applied was if F1 students took more than 1 class online they lost their status and had to return home. Its not even a EO this is what the rules always were. 

Some are upset for legitimate reasons that makes online study difficult to sustain in their home countries:

1. Lack of reliable or even none internet connection 

2. Electricity - Power supply is a big mess in some of those countries - power supply could be available for a couple of hours a day, or even none available for several days back to back. 
3. For those who are able to afford generations to provide them with the equivalent power supply, the noise from those generators make studying quite hard. 
4. Many of these students could possibly be sharing a room with several siblings back at home, so no dedicated place for studying. 
5. There’s the different time zones factor to contend with. 
 

I’m sure there are several other reasons outside of what I’ve listed above that people are upset about.  Overall, there’s the feeling of being held accountable and penalized for a decision taken by their school administrators. 

 

[Mollie09 1,543]

These are all great points, but there's a bigger picture here. Getting a university degree is hardly only about receiving content. Meeting people, creating networks, debating ideas, the experience as a whole is something you can't get online. That's not even to mention the learning that just can't happen online, eg. labs, research, practicums.

 

This is a tremendous loss for international students, but ultimately the US system as a whole is going to suffer because of it. It's a shame.