Thousands of international students were left at the mercy of the U.S government which had threatened to deport students who fail to comply with its latest policy.
The policy demanded that international students enrolled in online classes, leave the U.S.
A week later, they have been spared as the government rescinds the order after Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sued the administration over the policy.
Coronavirus cases in the US are skyrocketing but the Trump Administration has been pushing for school doors to be opened.
Sainna Christian is a Jamaican studying in the U.S, she says despite the withdrawal of the policy she remains concerned that the mandate was brought forward in the first place.
International students contributed $45B to the U.S. Economy in 2018 that’s according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Had the policy not been rescinded, institutions would have lost hundreds of millions.
The universities argue that the move was in line with the government’s political aspirations.
Despite the decision to withdraw the policy students and parents remain uncertain as they fear this might not be the final word on the issue.
Jeffery Osweiler, a representative at the US embassy says it is yet to receive guidance from the State Department on the latest developments.
He says however that the embassy is actively conducting interviews for students to acquire a student VISA to study in the U.S. for the upcoming school year.
