UPDATE:
July 14, 2020, Santa Rosa, CA - I’m thrilled to share that, as a result of the lawsuit initiated by Harvard and MIT and joined by SRJC and other institutions, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agreed to rescind the July 6 directive that required international students to take in-person classes in order to maintain their F-1 visa status during the coronavirus crisis. As of today, the July 6 directive is not enforceable on a nationwide basis. International students are once again eligible for F-1 visas by continuing remote instruction.
This is a major victory for educational institutions and international students across the U.S., and serves as a reminder that by uniting to fight such discriminatory policies, we can make a difference at both the local and national level.
I’d like to thank everyone who participated in this effort, particularly the International Student Program staff who worked tirelessly to find solutions to protect our international students. I’d also like to thank the individuals who shared their ideas with us. We have many great minds at this college and I am so grateful that we have faculty, staff and administrators who are willing to step up in times of great need.
With great appreciation,
Frank Chong, Ed.D.
President/Superintendent
707-527-4431, fchong@santarosa.edu
July 13, 2020, Santa Rosa, CA - On July 6, the U.S. government announced the end of the provision that allowed international students to maintain their F-1 visa status during the coronavirus crisis by taking a fully online course load. The complete announcement is available on the ice.gov website. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has also published Fall 2020 FAQs with additional information. Please note these provisions only pertain to international students on F-1 visas and do not affect undocumented students.
As an institution dedicated to student success, SRJC believes this decision arbitrarily disadvantages hundreds of thousands of international students around the United States and devalues diversity in education when it is more critical than ever. I want you to know that SRJC is working tirelessly on behalf of these students and is dedicated to doing everything in our power to fight this decision.
International students are crucial, contributing members of our diverse SRJC community and we will not sit idly by when their right to education is put in jeopardy. SRJC supports all students who attend our college and we will stand strong alongside them in the face of injustice.
To that end, SRJC has joined alongside Harvard, MIT and other educational institutions in the lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to stop this baseless and discriminatory decision. The state of California has also filed legal challenges against this policy. While we await the court’s response to our request for a preliminary injunction, we have identified a good solution that will allow SRJC’s international students maintain their F-1 visa status. If necessary, we are ready to deploy that solution prior to the start of the fall term.
I’d also like to thank everyone who submitted their ideas for solutions to help our international students. It makes me proud to be part of a college that is dedicated to protecting this community.
If you would like to voice your opposition to this decision, there are currently several petitions to allow international students to remain in the U.S. to complete their studies, including those at change.org and at whitehouse.gov.
Our International Student Program staff will be providing updates directly to international students and are available to address questions and concerns.
Sincerely,
Frank Chong, Ed.D.
President/Superintendent
707-527-4431, fchong@santarosa.edu