A July 6 announcement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stipulated that international students would not be allowed to stay in the U.S. this fall if they are not taking any in-person classes.

The new regulations applies to students with F-1 and M-1 nonresident visas.

The announcement comes at the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing universities nationwide to switch to a hybrid model combining in-person and virtual classes, or else go entirely virtual. Under the new ICE guidelines, international students whose schools are going all virtual may not remain in the U.S. and are encouraged to consider other options such a transferring to a school offering in-person instruction. Those attending a university adopting a hybrid model, however, are eligible to take more than one class or three credit hours online if they are also enrolled in in-person courses.

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