UAE residents enrolled at US universities have welcomed the Trump administration's decision to rescind a rule that could cancel visas for foreign students during the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, US authorities warned that students would be deported or asked to transfer to different institutes if their classes remained online in the autumn term.
At the time, UAE students who were enrolled at American colleges said they were concerned about the uncertainty about returning to the US.
The Trump administration faced federal lawsuits and opposition from hundreds of universities if it went ahead with the plans.
I am glad that this decision has been rescinded. The last few days were filled with uncertainty
“Non-immigrant ... students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States,” the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said last week.
“Active students in the United States enrolled in such programmes must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status."
But on Wednesday, federal immigration authorities retracted the July 6 directive and “returned to the status quo".
The move was welcomed by UAE students who are pursuing studies at US universities.
"I’m relieved and happy since this decision is directly in favour of all international students. I was joyous to hear it,” said Sakshi Chandak, 18, a second-year psychology student at Arizona State University and a Dubai resident.
"I was scared that if my university went fully online, according to the previous rules, I wouldn’t be allowed to enter the US. Now, I have the flexibility of choice to do as I please.
"A lot of people I know, who are close to me would’ve been affected by this decision since their universities went fully online for the fall semester, and they would not be allowed entry into the United States."
Sidhant Mathur, 20, from India, is excited to start his fourth year of study in economics at the University of California, Los Angeles.
He returned to the UAE after classes were cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak and is unsure of returning to the campus in September.
"I am glad that this decision has been rescinded. The last few days were filled with uncertainty about what the next few months of my life would look like,” said Mr Mathur.
“It's great that we are now being offered the flexibility to take classes safely and remotely from wherever we desire.
"I was not scared about the prospect of not entering the US as my university was in a hybrid model. I would be forced to return to the US if the new policy was still in place. This could have affected my visa and ability to work in the US."
The US is the top destination for international students.
Over one million people go to the country every year for higher studies, contributing $45 billion (Dh165.26bn) to the US economy.
"I am very happy that the decision to rescind this directive was made by the administration itself, demonstrating that the president backtracked on his initiative only days after his intention to implement it was announced – and months before it was intended to be implemented,” said Peter Davos, the founder of Hale Education Group, an education consultancy that helps UAE students go to US universities.
"Hale students have breathed a sigh of relief at this welcome news. I had conveyed to them and their parents through official communication just two days ago that I felt that this directive would never have been implemented."
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
Race card:
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m.
8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m.
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m.
9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m.
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
FIGHT%20CARD
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP5
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Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
Sweet%20Tooth
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
