An online petition demanding the UW create a one-credit in-person course so international students may remain in the country has drawn over 15,000 signatures. 

The petition, which started circulating Monday night, is in response to a new federal restriction that stops international students from staying in the United States without in-person instruction.

As universities across the country prepare for a fall quarter amid a global pandemic, many are relying on hybrid models or online-only courses to keep students safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

The new regulations from U.S Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP), bar international students studying under F-1 or M-1 visas from staying in the United States if they are taking an entirely online course load.

Students in the category must either depart the United States or transfer to a school with in-person instruction. Schools like the UW which adopt a hybrid model must certify that F-1 students are not taking a course load that is entirely online. Students can look at their time schedules to figure out if their classes will be taught remotely in the fall.

Read the entire story at The Daily.