The Program in East Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins University condemns the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) decision to modify the Student and Exchange Visitor Program rules. We view these changes as an attack on valued members of our student community and a reckless assault on the university’s ability to make decisions about how to manage a safe return to campus.

International students are a vital part of any university, and in particular make up an important core of the EAS community. This change in policy compounds the sharp rise in anti-Asian and anti-immigrant racism and xenophobia during the global health crisis, a rise stoked by the current U.S. administration. In the face of these threats, the EAS community will continue to work to create a safe and supportive environment for all international students who will be under severe strain and pressure as a result of the uncertainty and chaos created by this policy.

We applaud the efforts of Harvard University, MIT, the University of California and our leadership here at Hopkins in filing lawsuits against the modifications of the temporary exemptions and the universities who have supported the lawsuits through amicus briefs. EAS joins colleagues across Asian Studies, Johns Hopkins, and the academy to condemn this revision to SEVP and calls for the return of the temporary visa exemptions for international students.