U of M supporting Harvard, MIT in challenging Trump administration restrictions on international students

Thursday, University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel announced the school will be supporting Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in challenging President Donald Trump’s administration’s decision to bar international students from staying in the U.S. if they take classes entirely online this fall.

The two east coast schools filed a lawsuit Wednesday that seeks to prevent federal immigration authorities from enforcing the rule. Gabel announced the University of Minnesota, along with other schools throughout the country, will support the suit by filing an amicus brief.

Harvard, MIT sue to block ICE rule on international students

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement notified colleges Monday that international students will be forced to leave the U.S. or transfer to another college if their schools operate entirely online this fall. New visas will not be issued to students at those schools, and others at universities offering a mix of online and in-person classes will be barred from taking all of their classes online.

U to help international students comply with ICE directive

"Our planned hybrid teaching model this fall supports both in-person and online courses, which should reduce the impact of ICE’s decision on our nearly 6,200 international students systemwide," Gabel said. "However, we cannot stand by in good conscience as international students are forced out of the country through no fault of their own. Educational institutions across the country are offering expanded online learning opportunities to comply with the public health advice given by another federal agency—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—to reduce large gatherings, promote physical distancing and take other precautions to minimize the spread and impact of COVID-19."

Gabel added, "We stand with our international students, and international students across the country, in asking that the ICE directive be overturned immediately."