Foreign students attending American colleges who take classes entirely online this fall semester cannot remain in the country to do so, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Monday.
But, Oklahoma's two largest universities are standing behind their international students, and are working to make sure they can stay in the country.
The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University are both planning to have in-person classes this fall. So, rules that could boot international students affected by the coronavirus pandemic likely won’t impact them.
StateImpact received statements from both schools. OU’s response says the new ICE guidance presents an array of anxieties and uncertainties for its international student community, while OSU’s statement urges its international students to not make any sudden decisions regarding their plan of study based on the announcement.
Spokespeople for both universities say they will continue monitoring the situation and will work to make sure that come fall, international students can still call campuses in Norman and Stillwater home.
