The Trump administration's move to withdraw visas from foreign students whose courses move fully online could result in the loss of thousands of jobs and the $45 billion (Dh165.2bn) that they contribute to the US economy.
The students face deportation if the US universities or colleges they are enrolled in opt to move courses online during the fall semester, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said in a statement on its website on Monday.
To “remain in lawful status” they can transfer to an institution with an in-person education programme or enrol in schools that have adopted a hybrid model – a mixture of online and physical classrooms but only according to certain requirements, the agency said.
“If not, they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings,” it said.
“The US Department of State will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programmes that are fully online for the fall semester nor will US Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States.”
The US is the top destination for international students, whose number hit a high of 1.01 million in the 2018 to 2019 academic year, accounting for 5.5 per cent of the US higher education population.
Foreign students contributed about $45bn to the US economy during the same period, an increase of 5.5 per cent over the previous year, the Institute of International Education said in its Open Doors 2019 report.
Their presence also supports 458,290 jobs, directly and indirectly, according to the US Department of Commerce and the NAFSA Association of International Educators.
China had the highest number of students studying in the US for the 10th consecutive year, with 369,548 students enrolled in 2019.
India was in second place with 202,014 students, followed by South Korea with 52,250, Saudi Arabia with 37,080 and Canada with 26,122 students.
In March, ICE allowed foreign students to retain their visa status as many institutions moved classes online when the coronavirus pandemic hit the country.
The US is the country hardest hit by Covid-19, which has infected more than 2.9 million people in the country and killed more than 130,000, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the disease globally.
The country has registered a sharp rise in infections in recent weeks after President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election this November, pushed to ease movement restrictions and reopen the economy.
Mr Trump, who had often touted the strength of the US economy as one of his biggest successes, has been criticised for his handling of the pandemic and the subsequent economic rout.
The US lost all the jobs created since the 2008 global financial crisis during the first quarter of this year.
“Schools must open in the fall!!!,” Mr Trump tweeted on Monday as he continued to advocate the reopening of the world’s biggest economy.
However, the recent increase in infections in more than 35 US states forced some states to impose stricter rules to curb the spread of the outbreak.
Universities have also moved to curtail the risk for their students and faculties by either bringing a limited number of students back to campuses or shifting to online courses entirely.
It is not clear how many students will be affected by the change in ICE policy. However, it is a major setback for educational institutions that rely on foreign students for revenue.
The states of California and New York each host more than 100,000 students, while Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois and Pennsylvania are each home to more than 50,000 international students, according to the report.
The Trump administration move was roundly criticised by politicians and academics, who called for a reversal of the decision.
“The cruelty of this White House knows no bounds. Foreign students are being threatened with a choice: risk your life going to class in-person or get deported,” Senator Bernie Sanders, who dropped out of the Democratic presidential race earlier this year, said in a tweet.
“We must keep all our students safe.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren, who also ran for Democratic presidential nomination, said kicking foreign students out of the country because their colleges are moving classes online is “senseless, cruel and xenophobic”.
Samantha Power, a former diplomat and an author, who teaches at Harvard University, said in a tweet that the move “makes no sense and [is] unworkable for most college students”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)
Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
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Company%20Profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
1971: The Year The Music Changed Everything
Director: Asif Kapadia
4/5
England Test squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Abu Dhabi racecard
5pm: Maiden (Purebred Arabians); Dh80,000; 1,400m.
5.30pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,00; 1,400m.
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA); Group 3; Dh500,000; 1,600m.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Thoroughbred); Listed; Dh380,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA); Dh70,000; 1,400m.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
