Washington, July 8 (RHC)-- Thousands of international students enrolled at universities in the United States could face deportation if their schools switch to on-line-only courses in the fall due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

On Monday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued guidance stating: “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.”  ICE also said U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not permit these students to enter the United States. 

ICE released the guidance just hours after Harvard University announced that all classes will be on-line.  Senator Elizabeth Warren slammed the move, writing on Twitter: “Kicking international students out of the U.S. during a global pandemic because their colleges are moving classes online for physical distancing hurts students.  It’s senseless, cruel, and xenophobic.” 

The American Council on Education described the ICE guidance as “horrifying.”  One million international students attend U.S. colleges and universities.