covid and international students

they may not be able to stay

And universities.

But, as schools look to the fall, international students may not be allowed to remain in the united states.

According to u-s immigration and customs enforcement or 'ice'... new visas won't be issued to students at universities offering a mix of online and in-person classes.

The guidance says international students won't be exempt even if an outbreak forces their schools online during the fall term.

Abc 36 justin roth spoke to a u-k student facing this dilemma.

It's our top story at 5:30.

The announcement from 'ice' saying international students may need to leave the united states if their university transitions to online-only learning is still a bit of shock for many students and schools.

08 "cause of everything that is happening we have the risk of being deported because it doesn't matter anyway if you come here legally and have your documents."

Many international students stayed in kentucky this summer due to the coronavirus and travel bans across the globe.

For now, the majority of the students will not be affected.

13 "so far we are going to have a hybrid system so we are not affected, but we need to tell them what we're going to do and we need to have a new i20 form to protect our immigration status in the country."

Either way the move gives an uneasy feeling 15 "we are scared because we don't know what's coming next.

Even from my personal experience i'm grateful to the university of kentucky for everything that they are doing.

I know that they can control just certain things.

They don't have access to everything."

Molhol is currently a phd student studying viruses.

She understands how important her education is during a pandemic but says she's just one of many others.

22 "we international students are international students but we are also people.

We are also the children of someone; we are husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, parents so all these new announcements are coming on top of everything else that will affect our daily lives.

Harvard and m-i-t have filed lawsuits challenging the administration's rule.

Justin roth, abc 36 news.