On Monday more than dozen American technology companies including Google Facebook and Microsoft join a lawsuit.
The lawsuit is filed by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of technology.
Lawsuit is against Immigration and Custom Enforcement new rule that restrict international student from staying in US unless they attend at least one in-person course.
On July 7, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement had said it would not allow foreign students to remain in the country for the autumn semester if all their university classes are moved online because of the coronavirus crisis. The rule applies to all F-1 and M-1 visa holders. While F-1 visa holders pursue academic courses, M-1 students pursue “vocational coursework”.
The companies have argued that the ban will “inflict significant harm” on their businesses by reducing their customer base . “America’s future competitiveness depends on attracting and retaining talented international students,” the companies added. “Individuals who come here as international students are also essential to educating the next generation of inventors.”
“Finally, they become valuable employees and customers of US businesses whether they remain in the United States or return to their home countries,” it said.
