Costa Mesa, CA, (July 14, 2020) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Coast Community College District is pleased that federal authorities have announced their intention to undo a policy change by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would have required international students to attend in-person classes in order to remain in the country. The Coast District Board of Trustees had joined with colleges and universities across the country in an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit to block the in-person requirement.
The following statement is attributable to Coast District Chancellor John Weispfenning:
"With the rising number of infections in Orange County, it is readily apparent that the COVID-19 state of emergency continues. It is therefore appropriate that the federal government has decided not to move forward with a policy change that would have unnecessarily compelled in-person instruction to resume, regardless of public health and safety considerations.
"Students from outside of the U.S. epitomize a win-win. Our colleges provide an excellent education while international students help Orange County prosper by creating learning opportunities for local students, advancing the quiet diplomacy of education, and bringing new resources into our colleges and communities. International enrollment within the Coast District alone is calculated to contribute more than $64 million to the local economy.
"The Coast District is pleased that our international students will continue to live and learn in the U.S. as we all work with federal, state, and local partners to get the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic under control."
CONTACT: Erik Fallis
Director, Public Affairs and Marketing
(714) 438-4605 | efallis@cccd.edu