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Emory joins legal challenge in support of international students

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Update: July 14, 2020

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security rescinded the July 6 preliminary guidance that would have prohibited international students from retaining their F-1 visas if all their courses are online.

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Update: July 13, 2020

Emory University joined 58 other leading universities in an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit to block a new federal policy that would prohibit international students from retaining their F-1 visas if their course of study is entirely online.

Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology filed the lawsuit to halt the preliminary guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that would affect international students who hold F-1 visas and are taking courses this fall. 

In a July 7 message, President Claire E. Sterk and President-elect Gregory L. Fenves stressed that international students are welcome at Emory and are important members of the community. They pledged to “do all we can to enable our international students to pursue their education at Emory without disruption of their academic progress, and within a supportive and safe environment.” 

In the amicus brief, filed July 12, the universities argued that international students enrolled through the visa program “make valuable contributions” to our “classrooms, campuses and communities – contributions that have helped make American higher education the envy of the world.” The amicus brief may be accessed here.

A hearing on the preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order to bar the federal government from enforcing the new rules is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14. 

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July 9, 2020

Emory will join amicus brief in support of international students

Emory University plans to join an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit to block a new federal policy that would not allow international students to retain their F-1 visas if their course of study is entirely online.

Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology filed the lawsuit to enjoin the preliminary guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that would affect international students who hold F-1 visas and are taking courses this fall. 

Emory expressed deep concern about the preliminary guidance and is advocating for the administration to rescind the order. President Claire E. Sterk and President-elect Gregory L. Fenves pledged to “do all we can to enable our international students to pursue their education at Emory without disruption of their academic progress, and within a supportive and safe environment.”


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