Information and Guidance Based on the ICE Announcement

Dear International Students,

I am writing to share information on the new directive that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on July 6.

Northwestern University leadership has been working diligently to review the new ICE guidelines. Under the new directive, you would be prohibited from taking a fully online/remote course load during the Fall term if you are in the U.S. in F-1 status. However, we expect the hybrid model of online/remote and in-person courses we plan to institute this fall will accommodate the vast majority of your needs and enable you to continue in your studies at Northwestern.

Below please find additional information and guidance based on the ICE announcement. We have also posted an FAQs page for reference and will continue to share new information or guidance as it becomes available. 

• Northwestern University intends to operate on a hybrid instruction model during the Fall term. This model involves a mix of online/remote and in-person courses, including independent study and graduate-level research courses.
• Continuing, new and incoming transfer international students who will be in the U.S. for the Fall term may not register for a fully online/remote course load while also remaining in the U.S. in valid F-1 status. To maintain F-1 status, students must (1) enroll in at least one course that includes an in-person instructional component and (2) take the minimum number of online/remote courses required to make normal progress in their respective degree programs. Because Northwestern will offer a number of in-person courses, we expect most of our international students will remain eligible to study on our campus this academic year. The Northwestern Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) is working on a procedure to reissue I-20 forms for international students who will be in the U.S. during the Fall term. OISS will share more information about this in the coming weeks.

• Continuing students who will be outside of the U.S. in the fall are allowed to take a fully online/remote course load. However, students who reside outside the U.S. will no longer be able to maintain their F-1 status. Prior to returning to the U.S., these students will need to work with their OISS advisor to ensure they have a valid F-1 record with which to return.

• New international students who will be outside of the U.S. for the Fall term are allowed to take a fully online/remote course load, but will need to defer their F-1 SEVIS record and I-20 form. Starting on July 10, students can submit a New Student Immigration Document Deferral request through the OISS Portal to defer their immigration documents. You will receive an email with more detail about this process soon.

We understand that there are still outstanding questions and concerns, and we are working intensely to find answers. For students studying on the quarter system and in the Pritzker School of Law, course schedules including tags identifying those courses that will include face-to-face components will be published in late July and August. Again, if you are a continuing, new or incoming transfer international student who will be in the U.S. during the fall, we encourage you to register for at least one hybrid or face-to-face course that meets the requirements of your program.

We will provide updates as new information becomes available. In the interim, please do not hesitate to contact your OISS advisor with any questions or concerns.

We are fully committed to supporting our international students in every way possible. As President Schapiro stated in his message yesterday evening, your University community stands beside you in this painful moment. You are not alone, and we will support you in the days ahead.

Sincerely,

Annelise Riles

Associate Provost for Global Affairs, Northwestern University