From the Provost: Trump administration rescinds rule on foreign students

Dear Western Community,

Last Thursday I wrote you to express our university’s concern and outrage over the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s announced plan to take away the U.S. visas of international college students if their coursework were to be delivered entirely online in the fall.  Many universities across the country also denounced this decision and supported lawsuits aimed at blocking the misguided directive.  I write to update you on this issue.

The Trump administration earlier today rescinded the directive and its attendant implementation guidance.  This decision was announced at the beginning of a federal hearing associated with the lawsuit brought by Harvard University and MIT.  The presiding U.S. District Judge indicated that federal immigration authorities agreed to rescind the directive and to “return to the status quo.”

Western Washington University is very pleased by this development and will continue to support its international students as they pursue their dreams and educational goals.

Sincerely,

Brent Carbajal
Provost