Ramapo College 'Thrilled' As Trump Administration Drops ICE Rules

MAHWAH, NJ — Ramapo College, and the internation students enrolled there, are breathing a little easier today.

As was widely reported Tuesday evening, the Trump administration has reversed course on its highly criticized plan which would have made it nearly impossible for international students to remain in the country if their college or university only offered courses online this semester.

Ramapo College, who was one of 180 member colleges The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to support a Harvard and MIT lawsuit hoping to block the new rule, said they were "thrilled" to hear the news on Twitter.

The Washington Post reports that during a Tuesday hearing of the case U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs announced that the schools and government had reached an agreement on the matter.

"The government has agreed to rescind the July 6, 2020, policy directive and the frequently asked questions, the FAQ’s, that were released the next day on July 7," said Burroughs, according to a transcript of the Tuesday hearing. "They have also agreed to rescind any implementation of the directive."

The new rule would have made it nearly impossible for international students to retain their visas without in-person classes.

"The U.S. Department of State will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester nor will U.S. Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States," ICE said in announcing the policy.

The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit which challenged the impending U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement rule on July 10.

"The amicus brief argues that higher education institutions and international students will experience significant burdens due to the guidance's arbitrary prohibition, without notice, to online-only courses for international students, particularly after investing substantial resources in planning their fall 2020 operations," read a news release from the Alliance.

College officials from all over the country said the ruling, in addition to targeting international student, would have undercut months of planning as colleges begin to announce plans for the fall semester.

"The proposed ICE guidelines are cruel, unnecessary and deeply flawed–for students, for higher education, and for the country," said The New School President Dwight A. McBride, in a statement. "As COVID-19 cases steadily increase throughout the United States, the new rule undercuts the prudence, careful planning, and reliance on public health and safety guidance that have informed university decisions around teaching and learning in the near term."

An announcement is expected this week for Ramapo College's fall semester plans, according to a June letter from Ramapo College President Peter Mercer.