It seems especially cruel that they'd choose to enforce the rule at a time like this.
What if the state close all college campuses ? Sorry, bye bye, go home.
> See this guidance from March: "Given the extraordinary nature of the COVID-19 emergency, SEVP will allow F-1 and/or M-1 students to temporarily count online classes towards a full course of study in excess of the limits... This temporary provision is only in effect for the duration of the emergency" Absolutely nothing substantive has changed since then, but ICE has apparently changed its mind.
https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2....
The rule makes sense and is there to prevent an exploit on using student visas to move to the US.
However, enforcing it during a pandemic is cruel and really reinforces how Trump and his administration are aggressive towards international people - even if we are coming to elite schools and would bring value to the US economy.