3 years ago
In a move that may affect thousands of foreign students currently studying in the USA, including from Nepal, the US government announced Monday that international students will not be allowed to stay in the country if the institution in which they're enrolled is holding online-only courses this fall, and those failing to comply with the rules will risk deportation.
Students on F-1 and M-1 visas who face such a situation "must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status," the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said in a news release.
Those who violate the rules "may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings," the agency said.
The news comes as some colleges and universities, including Harvard, have announced they plan to hold online-only courses this fall as the United States struggles to get the coronavirus pandemic under control.
There are thousands Nepali students who are currently studying in different colleges and universities in the USA. If their educational institution goes fully online, they should either transfer to an institution that conducts in-campus teaching or face deportation.
