Parents in fix over new US rule for international students

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 10

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s decision to ask international students, whose classes have shifted online, to leave the country has put parents in a dilemma.

Those students who came back to India ahead of the lockdown have been searching for flights to return to the US and resume their classes. The ones who stayed back in the US are a worried lot as they do not want to get deported.

Dr Monika Bawa, pediatric surgeon, PGIMER, Chandigarh, said her son Akshit had joined Brown University last year. “As Covid spread in the US, we called him back. He continued his online classes and even gave exams from home. His F-1 visa will expire by mid-August.”

She said, “The bigger worry is to get the flight booked so that my son can get his visa extended. We are in a fix.”

Amritsar-based Sarabjit Singh stays with his son, who studies at University of California. He said, “My son has completed his bachelor’s degree. The US government wants to save universities as international students are demanding slashing of fee as classes are being held online.”

He said, “Things are likely to get normal as universities will adopt hybrid format of education wherein students will attend practical classes and theory part will be held online.”

Aarti Raina whose son studies in Chicago, said, “My son had joined bachelor’s course in 2018. He is doing major in physics and mathematics. His classes were held online from March to May. Later, his institute gave them a break. His university is yet to decide whether classes will be held hybrid or online. In case his classes are held online, he may be deported.”

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