Trump administration backs down on visa rule for international students

U.S. announces reversal at hearing in Harvard and MIT’s lawsuit against ICE and DHS

By Andrew Peng

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WASHINGTON—Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have agreed to rescind a July 6 directive that bars international students from remaining in the U.S. while taking classes remotely this fall.

• Stunning retreat: The government confirmed the reversal at a hearing this afternoon in Boston related to Harvard and MIT’s lawsuit against the agencies. The U.S. will also withdraw an FAQ detailing the rule and return to the status quo of guidance issued in the spring.
• Fierce criticism: Congressional Democrats, civil rights groups, and state officials pushed back against the Trump administration’s move earlier this week, and more than 200 universities backed legal challenges to the new restrictions.
• But the fight isn’t over yet: Reuters reports that the Trump administration “still intends to issue a regulation in the coming weeks addressing whether foreign students can remain in the United States if their classes move online,” citing a senior DHS official.
• Earlier: The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the White House was considering scaling back the rules and applying them to newly enrolling students. Such a move is likely to spur additional lawsuits.
• This story was updated at 5:54pm ET.

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