Ministry to support Vietnamese students in US
Hanoi (VNA) - After the US adjusted its temporary visa
regulations, the Ministry of Education and Training has said that US universities
will take specific measures to protect the rights of Vietnamese students pursuing
studies in the country.
The ministry called on Vietnamese students in the US to stay calm and keep close
watch on developments to make informed decisions.
If they have to return home and study online, they must register with the
Vietnamese Embassy in the US,
the ministry said, adding that it will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to propose the organisation of flights to bring the students home.
The ministry will continue to work with relevant agencies, especially the US
Embassy in Vietnam,
to remain updated on the situation and provide appropriate and timely support.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it will not allow foreign
students to remain in the country if all of their classes are moved online in
the fall because of the COVID-19 crisis.
In a statement on July 6, ICE said: “Non-immigrant F-1 and M-1 students
attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course
load and remain in the US.
“Active
students currently in the US
enrolled in such programmes must depart the country or take other measures,
such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction, to remain in
lawful status.”
The announcement received a harsh response from international students, because
the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many universities in the US to switch to online teaching entirely while most
countries have not reopened their flights to and from the US.
On July 7,
the US State Department reassured international students by asserting they are
always welcome to study in the country./.