"Decisions like this are contrary to our core values of collaboration, diversity and inclusion," writes Block. "We know that ICE's announcement is profoundly unsettling for our community, especially for our international students, and we are committed to supporting these students."
NOTICE: The U.S. government has rescinded its July 6, 2020, changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Restrictions have been lifted on foreign students living in the U.S. taking online classes during the coronavirus pandemic. See this article.
__________________________________________________________
Office of the Chancellor
Dear Bruin Community:
I am very concerned by yesterday’s announcement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that international students cannot remain in the United States if they are exclusively attending online classes this fall. Decisions like this are contrary to our core values of collaboration, diversity and inclusion. We know that ICE’s announcement is profoundly unsettling for our community, especially for our international students, and we are committed to supporting these students in any way we can.
UCLA is proud that we have attracted the best minds from around the world who have helped us build a vibrant learning community, advanced vital research and strengthened essential international collaborations. This disruptive policy directive threatens to further burden our entire Bruin family during an already challenging global health crisis.
We value the voices, insights and presence of every single member of the UCLA family, including those from other countries who have created an intellectual home here, who have established roots in our communities, and who greatly contribute to our campus. UCLA stands with our international students during this challenging period. We will be in touch with you through the Dashew Center and other avenues as we move forward. UCLA will work closely with UC Office of the President, which is carefully reviewing the details of this directive and will strategize with campus leadership on how to best support our international students, who are part of the rich fabric that makes UCLA a global leader in education.
Sincerely,
Gene D. Block
Chancellor
Useful links:
ICE announcement
ICE FAQ
UC President Janet Napolitano statement
Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) statement
“Harvard and MIT Sue to Stop Trump Visa Rules”/ New York Times article
UC poised to sue government over new via policy
Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2020