07/07/2020
SEVP Broadcast: A message from Shaun, P. Morgan, Executive Director of Office of Global Programs
Dear UMass Boston International Community,
In this time of COVID-19 ISSS has been aiming to supply you guidance and updates concerning immigration policy, and the number of messaged can cause confusion and anxiety for many, which we understand and empathize with.
Yesterday, (July 6th, 2020) the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which is the government branch of the Department of Homeland Security tasked with the oversight of international students and scholars in the USA, released its Fall 2020 operational guidance :(https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/sevp-modifies-temporary-exemptions-nonimmigrant-students-taking-online-courses-during). The precious guidance, from March of this year, was supportive towards our international student community and gave many assurances that during the temporary remote, (online), instruction period F-1 and J-1 students could remain in active status as long we they were enrolled full-time and making academic progress towards their degree. The overwhelming assumption among professional peers and the higher ed community was that the updated Fall 2020 guidance would be similar. Sadly, yesterday we learned that may not be the case.
Please note that the Office of Global Programs, International Student & Scholar Services, is making every effort to review the SEVP broadcast to create guidance that will be helpful for you, in planning for the fall semester. I can also confirm that the University of Massachusetts Boston is actively engaged in advocacy efforts, on your behalf, with regards to this.
In this message, ISSS wished to stress these important points:
1. The SEVP Broadcast, 07/06/20, is subject to change, and there is an expectation that additional guidance or amendments will be forthcoming in the days and weeks ahead. Higher education, congressional push-back even litigation may be inevitable, given the disruptive nature of the communication.
2. The University of Massachusetts Boston will do everything in its power to continue to ensure that our Boston campus is a safe place for you to continue your education, while making sure that your health and safety are paramount.
3. Please try avoid the overwhelming amount of online “chatter” with regards to the broadcast. Not all information that you will find is factually , or relevant to the UMB campus. Many of you will have friends studying elsewhere in the US with whom you are in close communication, and actions taken in their area of the US, may be very different than here in Massachusetts, and here at UMB. Please rely on communications from ISSS with pertinent information concerning your immigration status.
4. Please do not make any sudden or hasty decisions concerning your program of study, based on the SEVP announcement. Please do not disrupt your studied and the progress you are making towards your degree. Always discuss your academic plans with your academic advisor or graduate program director. Do not make plans to leave the USA based on yesterday’s broadcast. Despite the disappointing news, there is no immediate effect on your F-1 immigration status and we have time to advise you on fall semester plans, when more clarity, guidance and amendments from SEVP emerge.
5. Please ensure that you are fully registered for courses, for the Fall 2020 semester.
Lastly I wish to stress how important you all are to our campus community. As a former international student, and an immigrant to the USA, I am incredibly fortunate to work in one of the most diverse educational intuitions in Massachusetts. To be surrounded buy, and supported by a faculty, staff and administration that appreciated the importance of international education in our world, is a blessing and I want you to all know that UMB will continue to support, and fight for the future of international students and scholars on our campus.
Together, we will weather these complicated times, and I wish you all to remain safe, healthy and happy. Please do not hesitate to contact ISSS.
Faithfully,
Shaun P. Morgan
Executive Director, Office of Global Programs
Due to COVID-19, SEVP instituted a temporary exemption regarding online courses for the spring and summer semesters. This policy permitted nonimmigrant students to take more online courses than normally permitted by federal regulation to maintain their nonimmigrant status during the COVID-19 emergen...
