International students at Syracuse University must register for in-person classes to remain in the United States under Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s new visa guidance, university officials announced Wednesday.  

ICE’s guidance, issued Monday, states that international students must enroll in college courses held in-person to return to or remain in the U.S. International students attending universities with a mix of in-person and online courses are eligible to stay in the U.S. if their schools submit a form indicating that their courses are not held entirely online. 

SU will work closely with international students to ensure they can register for in-person courses, said John Liu, interim vice chancellor and provost, and Amanda Nicholson, assistant provost and dean of student success, in an SU News release. International students make up about 20% of SU’s student body.

“Syracuse University is frustrated and disappointed by ICE’s guidance,” Liu and Nicholson said. “Those who come to this country to live, learn and study must be supported, respected, valued and protected.”

The university’s government relations team will advocate for international students to congressional delegates, Liu and Nicholson said. SU also encourages international students to contact the Center for International Services for resources and additional support, they said.

Liu and Nicholson said the university will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

“Syracuse University appreciates the vast contributions of our international students to our campus community,” Liu and Nicholson said. “Our support for them has not wavered.”