TOPLINE
A new Trump administration rule that would force many international students to leave the U.S. this fall is being challenged by more than a dozen American tech students, including Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and 18 state attorneys general in separate lawsuits. .
ICE has said it would not allow foreign students to remain in the country if all of their classes … [+]
KEY FACTS
Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Paypal and others filed a court report Monday in support of a lawsuit filed by Harvard and MIT challenging the new rules, arguing that the restrictions “would inflict significant harm.” Business Insider reported.
“America’s future competitiveness depends on attracting and retaining talented international students,” the brief notes point out, adding that “the people who come here as international students are also essential in educating the next generation of inventors.”
Separately, attorneys general in 18 states filed a joint lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking a court order preventing the visa order from taking effect.
Last week, the state of California filed its own lawsuit challenging the rules. Under the new directive, international students with F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant visas cannot remain in the United States or legally enter the United States if their courses are completely online.
Students who remain in the US while taking only online courses may face “immigration consequences” that include “the initiation of expulsion proceedings,” said the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service.
Crucial quote
“The Trump administration did not even attempt to explain the basis for this pointless rule, which forces schools to choose between keeping their international students enrolled and protecting the health and safety of their campuses,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. in a statement announcing the states costume
Big number
$ 44.7 billion. That’s what international students in the US contributed to the national economy in 2018, according to the US Department of Commerce.
Key background
The Trump administration has lobbied to curb multiple immigration pathways amid the coronavirus pandemic, including stopping the issuance of new green cards, suspending the H-1B visa and other work visas until the end of the year. The student visa decision is also part of a broader push by the White House to reopen schools and universities this fall despite the ongoing pandemic. Many universities, including Harvard University, have shared plans to offer all of their fall classes online.
