Dear Wellesley Community,
Wellesley has joined with 59 colleges and universities from 24 states and the District of Columbia in filing an amicus brief supporting Harvard and MIT’s lawsuit challenging the recent guidance from the Department of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding international students. This amicus brief is also being filed in other, similar lawsuits across the country.
Wellesley is proud to stand with many of our peers on this issue. International students are integral members of the Wellesley community—and part of the fabric of higher education in the U.S. As the brief states, they enrich and enliven our campuses and communities. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wellesley, along with other colleges and universities, have spent significant time preparing for the fall term—and have followed federal guidance issued in the spring allowing international students to attend all remote classes, guidance that was to remain “in effect for the duration of the emergency.”
Wellesley, together with the other amici, believe that this recent guidance flies in the face of the health and safety protocols that colleges and universities are planning to implement. Most important, it would cause immeasurable harm and turmoil to students, colleges, and communities.
As I shared in my previous message on this topic, Wellesley is working to find ways to maintain the visa status for our international students. Any Wellesley international student, first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior, who can make it to campus will be able to live in College housing for the year (fall 2020 and spring 2021). We are also working with our faculty to make it possible for them to receive some in-person instruction in order to remain in compliance. For more details, please contact or visit the website of the Slater International Center.
As an institution founded on social justice and equal opportunity, Wellesley will continue to advocate for and work to support our international students.
All my best,
Paula A. Johnson
President
