International Times Review | Restricting International Student Visas-The United States does not say "send warmth" but instead "makes up a knife"
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 10th: A few days ago, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau issued a notice restricting visas for international students, which caused a stir. According to the new regulations, international students in the fall semester of 2020 will not be able to obtain a visa to the United States or maintain their current visa if they only take online courses. Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have filed a lawsuit, and Harvard President Lawrence Barco described the decision as "reckless" and "cruel".
This is the Washington Monument photographed in Washington, USA on July 8. Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Jieshe
This "cruel" decision is an indifference to the health of teachers and students. Classroom teaching is certainly more efficient than online teaching, but in the raging situation of the New Crown epidemic, the expedient measure of using online courses instead of face-to-face teaching can effectively stop the spread of the virus and protect the health of teachers and students. Anyone with a little scientific common sense understands the truth. The National Association of Foreign Student Counselors pointed out that the new regulations "have hurt international students and put their health and well-being and the entire higher education community at risk."
This "cruel" decision has left many international students in a "dilemma". In the fall semester, some universities including Harvard University and the University of Southern California only offer online courses. According to the new regulations, foreign students from these schools will have to leave the United States or transfer, and international students who are overseas also face the problem of not being able to obtain a visa. awkward. As the complaints from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology say, the new rules have left tens of thousands of foreign students with no choice to study in the United States just a few weeks before the fall semester begins.
This "cruel" decision has damaged the US national reputation and international image. According to Bloomberg estimates, this policy affects more than 1 million foreign students studying in American universities. CNN called it a "cleansing plan" for foreign students, which was another "disgusting and naked attack" by the US government against foreigners and immigrants, which further weakened the American influence and international reputation.
In this case, why did the US ruling authorities introduce such a "cruel" policy? The answer lies in the unpredictable prospects of the election and the need for the economy to restart. Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy executive secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, admitted that such a decision was made to "encourage" the university to reopen. The logic behind it is very simple-"restart the United States" can not leave a dead end, everything must look normal, and life and health are not a priority.
At present, the number of confirmed cases in the United States has exceeded 3 million, and more than 130,000 people have died. The number of newly diagnosed people in the United States is still at a high level of tens of thousands. Against the backdrop of such a severe epidemic, the US authorities ignored the health of teachers and students, and such “cruel” decision-making has attracted widespread criticism at home and abroad for many days. The University of California has indicated that it is ready to follow up the lawsuit. Princeton University, Cornell University and other famous universities have also expressed their condemnation. Andrew Hamilton, the president of the New York University, pointed out that the authorities required foreign students to choose one of the two options of attending school and leaving the United States, which was obviously wrong.
Since the outbreak, international students in the United States have been under tremendous academic and psychological pressure. Instead of saying "send a mask" or "send warmth", the US government has introduced a new "cold" rule "to make up for a knife." The US government should face up to criticism at home and abroad and correct wrong practices.