International students in Idaho face deportation this fall following ICE ruling

Students on F-1 or M-1 visas are facing deportation should their universities transition to only online learning this fall.

The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that two universities — Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology — have filed lawsuits against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after the agency said international students could be deported if they only take online classes amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“International students must take in-person classes in order to stay in the country legally, ICE announced Monday, drawing swift criticism from some of the nation’s top universities, including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,” the Associated Press reported.

International students here in the Gem State worry about their future. Idaho News 6 reached out to Boise State University and learned that BSU would be offering as many face-to-face courses as possible, and the university will take steps to ensure their protocols fall in line with the CDC’s latest health guidelines.

“Our experts in the Center for Global Education have reached out to all international students to help them assess their individual circumstances,” said Greg Hahn, a spokesperson for Boise State to Idaho News 6. “Since the order only applies to entirely online students, and we plan to offer a range of in-person, hybrid and remote classes, we think that international students in Boise should be able to remain here and on track in their programs.”

Universities are encouraged to update their information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System within 10 days should courses move on or offline.

Idaho News 6 will continue to update how other local colleges and universities plan to cope with the order in the coming days.