WASHINGTON – Following is a statement by Sandra L. Shullman, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, regarding a temporary federal rule requiring international college and university students to leave the United States if their school switches to online-only classes this fall:
“This rule creates an undue burden and potential public health risk as institutions of higher education seek to ensure continuity of education and student and faculty safety for the fall semester. It will force colleges and universities into an impossible choice—to reopen prematurely or risk losing invaluable international students and their contributions—and unnecessarily endanger both the physical and mental well-being of all students and faculty. Restricting access to higher education for more than one million international students, including thousands of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in psychology, is untenable.
“U.S. undergraduate and graduate education, including in psychology, has long been highly regarded throughout the world. As we face already declining international student enrollment, including in health care fields, this misguided policy will undermine our nation’s global leadership in science and derail the education of undergraduate and graduate students who are needed to conduct critical research and provide essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“International doctoral psychology students are already contributing to the health and well-being of our nation. Even as trainees, many are providing essential behavioral health services on the frontlines of the pandemic; others are conducting research on the myriad behavioral health concerns associated with COVID-19. Placing further restrictions on our nation’s ability to recruit and retain international talent further sets us back in the behavioral health field, especially as the U.S. continues to face a shortage of providers.”
APA called on the Department of Homeland Security to allow international students with a valid visa to continue their education and complete their degrees, whether they are currently in the United States or in their home country, and whether they are studying online, in person or through a combination of both.