Call to Action: Help Protect International Students
This week, the Department of Homeland Security announced the reversal of a waiver granted earlier this year in response to COVID-19 that allowed students to maintain their visa status even while taking courses online. This new guidance states that international students taking online-only classes will not be allowed to remain in the United States this Fall. Furthermore, if schools need to close after the start of the academic year due to a surge in cases, international students would be required to leave the U.S. at that time.
FIUTS stands in strong opposition to these plans, which would cause irreparable harm to students, institutions of higher education, our communities, and our country. These changes are not yet final, which means that we have an opportunity to make our voices heard. As an independent nonprofit organization, FIUTS has an opportunity to mobilize our U.S. community to take action. See below for guidance on how you can speak out on behalf of international students.
ACTION ITEMS
1) Contact your federal elected representatives
For Washington State residents, contact Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell. You can find your House Representative by entering your zip code here. If you are in another state, you can find your Senate representative in the link here. Calling is the most effective way to make an impact and will only take 5-10 minutes for all three of your representatives!
FIUTS has created a script that you can use when you call:
Hello, my name is [name] and I’m calling for [lawmaker’s name]. I am a constituent of [your district]. I am calling to express my opposition to the recent policy issued by ICE on July 6 which would prevent international students from remaining in the United States if they are only taking online classes, reversing the waiver that was granted earlier this year in response to COVID-19.
This policy would cause serious harm to students. It cruelly and unfairly interrupts their studies and forces them to choose between protecting themselves from the pandemic or preserving their immigration status. It also harms our communities and our schools. These young people bring cultural diversity and academic excellence to our campuses, and represent a key source of financial support for institutions and communities. Last year alone, international students generated more than $950,000,000 of economic activity in our state*. Their tuition supports shrinking state contributions towards higher education and provides support to local students.
As a host through FIUTS, the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students, for (#) years [or insert your role here - alumni, supporter, etc], I have personally benefited from the many ways in which international students contribute to our community. This policy sends the message that international students are not welcome here, contradicting our country’s long-held values. I urge you to oppose this administration’s efforts to enact policies that will cause irreparable harm to students, schools, and communities across the country.
*If you are outside Washington state, you can find data on international students’ economic impact on your state here.
2) Sign petitions
Add your name to these petitions at Whitehouse.gov and Change.org to demonstrate the level of popular opposition to this change
3) Share student voices and encourage others to take action
FIUTS is collecting student testimonials to demonstrate the impact of this policy on students’ lives and education. Read what students have to say and share with your networks.
MORE INFORMATION
This document includes a simple explanation of the issue, as well as another call script
Inside Higher Ed: International Students Banned from Online Instruction
New York Times: Harvard and M.I.T. Sue to Stop Trump Visa Rules for Foreign Students
Updates from UW International Student Services (ISS) on Policy Implications (this is the official source that students should consult for all immigration-related information related to this and other policies)
Please note that as an independent nonprofit organization, FIUTS is permitted by state and federal law to advocate on policy issues. Our position does not in any way represent the University of Washington.
For updates on FIUTS’ response to this and other policies affecting international students, follow our blog and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Thank you so much for supporting international students during this challenging time. We are grateful to you for being a part of our community.