Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | 5:33 PM 

 

To: Graduate Students, Graduate Faculty, Directors of Graduate Studies, Program Directors, Program Administrators, LGS Staff

 

Subject: LGS Updates | International Student Visa Status

 

 

Dear LGS Community, 

 

On July 6, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued preliminary guidance affecting international students who hold F-1 visas and who are taking courses during the fall 2020 term. President Sterk and President-elect Fenves have issued a statement that highlights actions by the University to address this issue. 

 

We have heard from a number of students, faculty, and alumni about the change in exemptions for international students. We share your utter disbelief and concern about this disturbing and disruptive announcement. 

 

LGS international students are tremendously valuable and integral members of our community. International students have been part of the long history of the US research university—with contributions to discovery, innovation, and all forms of scholarship and creative performance and expression. The ability of international students to continue and complete their studies is of vital importance to the valuable work of this day.  

 

Across higher education, there is a proactive lobbying effort underway to persuade DHS to make changes before the regulation becomes final. AAU leadership, with longstanding commitments to graduate education and research, is working with all members as part of efforts to halt the enactment of this regulation. And at Emory, LGS is working closely with Philip Wainwright, Vice Provost for Global Strategies and Initiatives (GSI), in support of turning back this regulation. 

 

Emory’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is closely monitoring the situation and available to students with questions and concerns. You may view the ISSS statement and preliminary guidance here. For details, follow the link to the ISSS FAQ page.

 

LGS is in close contact with ISSS, which reports through GSI. We will work with programs to help with enabling international students’ fall enrollment to meet proposed DHS guidelines.

 

Please remember that this is a preliminary announcement from DHS pending the publication of a Temporary Final Rule. You may view the DHS statement here.

 

We will keep you updated and will work with you as we navigate this ongoing situation and learn more. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

-Lisa

 

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Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D.


Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – Graduate Studies


Dean, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies

Professor, Rollins School of Public Health