Law360 is reporting that ICE is planning on taking a more flexible policy on F-1 students participating in online programs in response to the coronavirus. F-1s are only allowed to take one course per semester in an online format. According to Law360:
But ICE said it will forgive those requirements temporarily in light of the public health crisis so long as universities provide written notice within 10 business days of deciding to change its practices.
Given more than 100 universities have already closed their campuses and switched to online formats as a public safety measure, the move by ICE is welcome.
[UPDATE – SEVIS has provided NAFSA, the international education organization, with this statement confirming the change:
“SEVP is committed to remaining flexible in allowing schools to make temporary procedural adaptations so nonimmigrant students can continue to make normal forward progress in their program of study. They can temporarily engage in distance-learning, either from within the U.S. or outside the country, in light of COVID-19. SEVP will provide updated guidance as the scope and length of this situation becomes more clear.”