[Intl-stu] OIP Highlights: SEVP Broadcast Message of July 6, 2020

[International Students]

07/07/2020


Dear International Students:

Yesterday, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published the Broadcast Message 2007-01-COVID-19 and Fall 2020 which you can review at: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ice.gov_doclib_sevis_pdf_bcm2007-2D01.pdf&d=DwIFAg&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=YxK6DXrxRSQuuEWUa-YFmF7VOPJK5cc3lgW8FEsEm-A&m=ITc6l3Nor7i8nlgOalN2RKx73CpHWAvsD9ITOTeToE4&s=rdJHOxyq0145dt1ffZlYXhW5DtABQaPIeaIRitqnv9w&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ice.gov_doclib_sevis_pdf_bcm2007-2D01.pdf&d=DwMFAg&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=HayomLMUDYjeaAyaY-mVMLzYU7nLX8K1MBC3LWJU70w&m=2cQcCK1si59VXvyc8JdyDMmgCgfO3G-eoUxpaAXcLGg&s=mTpm95WWJXVZNH2owg1fFRekPZ5pvaazM4dEg066ldE&e=>  Below are the Office of International Programs' highlights of the broadcast message.


1.       Schools offering ALL ONLINE courses in Fall 2020: International students attending schools offering ALL online courses in Fall 2020 may not take all online classes and remain in the U.S. *The Department of State will not issue visas to students attending schools offering ALL online courses in Fall 2020, neither will Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allow such students entry into the U.S. Continuing students in such schools must depart the country, or transfer to schools offering face-to-face courses.

2.       Schools offering ALL Face-to-Face Courses in Fall 2020: International students there must continue their programs normally i.e. taking only one online course with full course load according to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G).

3.       Schools with the Hybrid Model in Fall 2020: International students attending schools offering a mixture of face-to-face and online courses are permitted to register for more than one online course (3 credits). Schools must certify on students' I-20s that program is not 100% ONLINE and students are not enrolled in ALL online course load in Fall 2020. Those students will take a minimum number of online classes required for satisfactory academic progress.

4.       Designated School Officials (DSOs) must issue I-20s to international students stating they are not enrolled in ALL online programs and that students are registered for the minimum number of online courses required to make normal academic progress.

5.       I-20s must be re-issued to international students within 21 days of broadcast or by August 4, 2020, making incoming students' I-20s a priority for visa applications.

6.       Continuing students will remain in Active status as long as they are making normal progress (i.e. not in all online courses), or, they continue their practical trainings for those on OPT.

7.       If a school changes to 100% ONLINE program or courses during the semester, making international students switch to ALL ONLINE courses, or, if an international student switches to ALL ONLINE courses during the semester, such students must leave the country or transfer to another school offering F2F courses.

8.       International students may engage in remote learning from their home countries, only if their schools offer ALL online courses. For such students, DSOs must update their I-20s with remarks that students are outside of the U.S. and taking full course load online.

What Do These Mean For Texas A&M University-Commerce International Students?
Our university has adopted the "Hybrid Model" for Fall 2020. International students cannot register for 100% online courses. Therefore, work with your academic advisors to find a mixture of face-to-face and online courses to keep you in status.

Since Texas A&M University-Commerce is not offering ALL online courses in Fall 2020, international students are not permitted by SEVP to take online classes remotely from their home countries.



Summary for Texas A&M University-Commerce International Students

1.       TAMUC is adopting the "Hybrid Model" for Fall 2020.

2.       International students cannot register for ALL ONLINE courses in Fall 2020.

3.       International students are not permitted by SEVP to study remotely from home countries in Fall 2020 because TAMUC is offering hybrid courses, not ALL online programs or courses.

4.       The Office of International Programs will re-issue I-20s to international students with remarks that our university offers the hybrid model and our students are not registered for all online courses. OIP will prioritize re-issuance of I-20s to incoming students for their visa applications. All I-20s will be re-issued by August 4, 2020.

5.       Work with your academic advisors to choose as many F2F courses as you can find for your Fall 2020 schedule so you can continue to make normal academic progress.

6.       OIP will send information on institutional operational changes to SEVP ASAP.

7.       YOU ARE NOT BEING DEPORTED!!! STAY CALM. READ THE BROADCAST MESSAGE AND BE INFORMED.
*Schools are awaiting further clarifications on the Broadcast Message from the SEVP. OIP will keep you abreast of SEVP updates.

Please continue to stay safe!

Dr. Titi Adewale PDSO
Director of International Programs

On behalf of the OIP Team


[TAMUC logo]<https://www.tamuc.edu/>



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