US Statement:

- F-1 and M-1 (non-academic and vocational students) visa holders planning to take online classes only will not be allowed to remain in the U.S.

- The State Department would not issue visas to students, who were going to be taking all their classes online due to the pandemic.

- Administration is saying that they are complying with a regulation that does not allow students in F-1 status to be in online classes.

Consequences:

- Students are facing the possibility of falling out of valid immigration status.

- Those whose colleges and universities were moving to an online only model would therefore have to leave the country or find another way to stay in status.

- Difficult situation for students is exacerbated by the unprecedented disruption to international travel.

Government actions:

- India will raise the issue with US government.

- India is 2^nd largest source of foreign students, with China being the 1^st.

- Close to 2 Lakh students are studying in US.

Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-to-withdraw-visas-for-foreign-students-whose-classes-move-online/article32008911.ece#:~:text=%E2%80%9CNonimmigrant%20F%2D1%20and%20M,%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20ICE%20statement%20said.&text=If%20not%2C%20they%20may%20face,removal%20proceedings%2C%E2%80%9D%20ICE%20said.

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