by International Programs and Services
On Tuesday (July 14), the Trump Administration rescinded the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) policy modification announced on July 6. As you may recall, that policy restricted international students from staying in the United States if they were enrolled in courses that were being delivered only in an online format.
International Programs and Services understands this new decision to mean that we are now to use the guidance released in March in regard to supporting international students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance announced in March allows international students to remain in status and continue their education from the United States if the University needs to provide instruction entirely online.
However, we have not received any updated information from SEVP with further guidance At this time we have communicated with Michigan Tech international students to continue to prioritize enrolling in face-to-face courses if possible, with the understanding that they can enroll in online/remote courses if needed. Students who have returned to their home country and can not return to Michigan Tech because of travel restrictions are permitted to take their courses online if possible and maintain their active student status in the fall.
Students should work with their academic advisors to ensure courses are available and consult with IPS staff regarding their immigration paperwork. International students still need to be enrolled full time to maintain their status (Undergrad 12 credits, Graduate, nine credits), self-isolate for 14 days if arriving from an international location and provide IPS updated documentation when necessary.
All other SEVP rules and expectations are in place. The rescinding of this guidance by the Trump Administration is a sigh of relief for our campus community. We value our international students and all that they bring to our campus and our community. We will continue to update campus as we know more. For more information contact Kellie Raffaelli, director of International Programs and Services.