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RESPONSE TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) REGARDING THE STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM (SEVP)

The Government of Malaysia has taken note of the announcement by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 6 July to end the temporaryexemption for foreign students taking online classes for the Fall 2020 semester. The Government is deeply concerned over the fate of more than 6,000 Malaysian students, who arealready pursuing their studies at various institutions across the United States.The Embassy of Malaysia to the United States in Washington DC has released an advisory on 7 July urging Malaysian students to reach out directly to their respective universities, as the status of their Fall classes will be crucial in determining their immigration status.Presently, the United States hosts the third largest population of Malaysian students studying abroad. Given the importance of the United States as an education destination of choice, the Government of Malaysia encourages the United States authorities to reassess the need to end this temporary exemption, and find a feasible solution for our students to continue pursuing their studies online and remain in the United States.

 

YB DATO’ SERI HISHAMMUDDIN TUN HUSSEIN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA

9 July 2020