Adler University Vice President of Academic Affairs Wendy B. Paszkiewicz, Psy.D., responds to the news that international students will be allowed to stay in the U.S. while attending online classes in the fall in a message to Chicago Campus students, faculty, and staff.

I’m happy to report that last week’s Trump administration policy that effectively implemented a ban on international students enrolled in online-only courses was rescinded yesterday. We are pleased that this unreasonable and oppressive ruling, based on the administration’s xenophobic immigration policy agenda, has been reversed.

International students at Adler University and other higher education institutions are now able to stay in the country and take classes online as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We are happy that our students are able to continue their education in a way that protects their health and wellness, and are deeply disappointed that they had to grapple with the proposed policy’s implications.

Adler University acted swiftly to advocate against the proposed policy. We joined 180 other colleges and universities across the country to sign an amicus brief in support of a legal complaint against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its directive. President Raymond E. Crossman, Ph.D., is a member of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which coordinated the amicus brief and regularly advocates on immigration policy issues.

Adler University also participated in another amicus brief, filed by the American Council on Education and 70 other higher education associations, which is believed to have been influential in reversing the decision. We also joined the American Council on Education in signing a letter to Congress, that was to be delivered today, asking them to encourage the Department of Homeland Security to withdraw the directive. And we were preparing our own letter to the Department of Education outlining our concerns.

We will remain vigilant for other misguided immigration policy proposals, and are committed to supporting international students and their ability to learn in and contribute to our country.