Georgia Southern University has yet to fully address the impacts of the decision made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 6th. ICE decided that, despite the pandemic, they would not permit international students to take fully online classes, even if their school has decided to go online for health concerns. This undermines local and state decision-making power and uses international students as bargaining chips to pressure school reopenings. Georgia Southern international students are facing uncertainty and fear, yet the university has not addressed these fears. Tell GSU to commit to protecting international students in any scenario that may emerge!

While the University is committed to a hybrid reopening, it has not made any promises to accommodate international students and allow them to easily request in-person classes in order to not be deported. Other Georgia schools have decided to go fully online following Thanksgiving break; there is also the possibility that the COVID-19 cases may increase and force a school closure again; whatever the case, Georgia Southern must commit to being flexible and protecting international students.

Furthermore, the University has not addressed the possibility of accommodating international students stuck abroad and unable to return due to travel restrictions. These students must be guaranteed online accommodations, as taking a semester off may invalidate their visas.

Georgia Southern University’s international students came here legally and pay more than domestic students in the pursuit of a degree. Our international student population is a vibrant and active student group, working on campus, getting involved in student organizations, and doing research and writing theses. Just like domestic students, they deserve to have their concerns heard and addressed. They deserve to not live in fear of being deported and put at risk in the middle of a pandemic.

Contingency plans at other Universities have ranged from assisting in class swaps or in-person accommodations to creating 1-credit hour in-person classes for international students.

President Marrero and the Georgia Southern administration must immediately commit to protecting international students and creating contingency plans.