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Court Decision Postponed on Federal Rule Targeting Foreign Students

Aline Barros

   A federal judge postponed taking action Friday in a lawsuit filed by
   two universities against the U.S. government, while the state of
   California filed a separate lawsuit over federal guidance that foreign
   students who take online-only classes will lose their immigration
   status.

   U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs announced she would wait until
   next week to decide whether to issue a temporary order to stop the
   directive, announced by U.S. immigration officials Monday, that
   requires international students to attend classes on campus in person.

   American colleges and universities are grappling with how to hold
   classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many opting to conduct some
   or all courses online for the upcoming semester.

   Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology challenged
   the federal rule, saying it would throw U.S. higher education into
   chaos, forcing schools to scramble to arrange in-person classes while
   ignoring risks to public health.

   In a short hearing held by videoconference, Burroughs said she would
   wait to review the government's opposition to a temporary order, to be
   filed Monday. A full hearing on the matter is expected Tuesday.

   Some foreign students left the U.S. earlier in the year as the pandemic
   shuttered campuses nationwide. Others have been sheltering in the U.S.
   and taking online courses to continue their studies.

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