International students in Colorado no longer at risk for deportation if colleges move to online-only instruction
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A new federal policy that would have potentially forced international students to leave the country or risk deportation if their universities switch to online-only courses has been rescinded.
The policy was just issued by U.S. Customs and Immigration and could have impacted more than 11,000 students in Colorado. But on Tuesday, President Donald Trump's administration announced that the rule wouldn't go into place.
The announcement came amid a lawsuit by over a dozen states and multiple higher education institutions, including the University of Colorado.
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But until that happens, they’re banking on in-person or hybrid courses to keep those international students in the U.S.
“We’re hoping this ruling won’t affect us, but still, it’s caused a lot of confusion and concern amongst our students," says Kevin McConnellogue, Vice President for Communication for the University of Colorado.
The University of Colorado is planning on opening all four of their campuses come fall, which offers some protection to their international students.
“Any of the portion of the coursework they’re taking, if it’s in person, then this ruling won’t apply to them,” says McConnellogue.
The return to in-person instruction will also work to benefit their international who returned to their home country amid the pandemic.
"If an international student today, wanted to return to Colorado ... if they have the appropriate visa, they can do that," says McConnellogue.
However, should Governor Jared Polis order schools to return to an online-only format at any time during the academic school year, international students would be at risk of deportation once again.
“At the end of the day, our campuses and our students have to follow the la, but I think some of the challenges to that law are going to play out here in the coming weeks," says McConnellogue.
The Colorado Attorney General, along with 16 other states, are suing the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the ruling.
