ICE announced on July 24, 2020 that despite the settlement with Harvard and MIT, only currently enrolled F-1 ans M-1 international students can attend ‘online only’ classes. No new students can come for colleges that will do classes online.

ICE will bar entry to NEW F-1 and M-1 international students who received their student visa at embassies after March 9.

“Nonimmigrant students in new or initial status after March 9 will not be able to enter the U.S. to enroll in a U.S. school as a nonimmigrant student for the fall term to pursue a full course of study that is 100 percent online,” the agency said.

It told designated school officials not to issue a Form I-20 to an international student in new or initial status who is outside of the U.S. and plans to take classes fully online. (Nonimmigrant students need a Form I-20, or certificate of eligibility, to apply for a student visa, apply for benefits and enter the country.)”

This continues ICE (and Department of Homeland Security’s) circumventing federal court decisions and continuing with their quest of restricting LEGAL immigration and visas to US in spite of actual laws and court decisions saying its unlawful for them to do this.

Source: NPR