ICE’s sudden rule stating that international students taking only online classes must leave the county is unjust and has no purpose other than to further make the lives of immigrants difficult. In the face of this injustice, we are asking UNC Chapel Hill to stand by its promise to support its international students. 

While there are some classes at UNC currently expected to be in-person in the fall, there is no guarantee that every international student will be able to register in one of those classes. In addition, if the decision is made to keep everyone at home this semester, international students will be forced to leave. It has been learned that hybrid classes also will not count as in-person classes by ICE, and thus taking one is not protection against deportation. 

UNC Chapel Hill should offer a 1 credit course that is labeled as in-person to international students to ensure that they are not deported. This class should be made available even if the campus is shut down and other classes are moved online. 

Additional and equally important demands for international students include the following: issuing housing refunds, decreasing the fees that include things that those in their home countries wouldn't be using such as the gym, health insurance, etc., maintaining students informed with updates about things such as travel bans, and asking for leniency in professors (such as recording lectures so that those in different timezones are able to successfully learn). Since UNC is a public university, we understand that the actions they can take are limited to some extent but these are some actions we believe are tangible, achievable, and very beneficial for international students. (via UNC ONE)

International students deserve to continue their education in America. This country was built by immigrants and we can’t forget it.