PAAIA :

For Immediate Release
Contact: Emily Porter
Email: Emily@paaia.org
Phone: (202) 828-8370

Washington, DC – The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization serving the interests of the Iranian American community, today welcomed the federal government’s decision to reverse the recent order from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that mandates international students enrolled in U.S. institutions that are holding online-only courses this fall to leave the country. The decision was announced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs during a teleconference hearing pertaining to lawsuits brought by Harvard and MIT against ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to halt the order.

In response to the announcement, Leila Austin, executive director of PAAIA, issued the following statement:

“PAAIA commends the leadership of Harvard and MIT as well as the advocacy of the higher education community, international and civil liberties organizations, states, labor unions, members of Congress and countless others who successfully brought to light the “irreparable injury” that international college students would face if forced to leave the country or face deportation. Whether in the classroom or online, international students add to the diverse make-up of our universities, contribute to American research, innovation and competitiveness and support the economy. PAAIA was quick to support efforts to defend the rights of our international students and we are thankful for today’s decision by the administration to allow these students to remain in the United States to attend in-person and online college courses this fall.”

Go to link