Trump Administration Rescinds Rule Banning International Students from Country if Only Taking Online Classes
Harvard University's Widener Library, in Cambridge, Mass. AP Photo
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STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Hawaii extends travel quarantine mandate, but relaxes it for college students ... Massachusetts sues ride-hailing companies ... New York governor releases memorable Covid poster.
The Trump administration on Tuesday rescinded its recent rule barring international college students from entering the country if their universities only offer online courses this fall. The decision by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was facing multiple lawsuits, including one filed on Monday by state attorneys general. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs announced the reversal by the administration during a hearing in a separate lawsuit brought by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The schools were seeking a preliminary injunction, arguing that the order would harm both the students and universities by forcing them to allow in-person classes before they believe they can be conducted safely. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling had argued in court filings that the rule was just a return to previous requirements that were eased in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. [Associated Press; Boston Globe; Harvard Crimson]
HAWAII QUARANTINE | Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced on Monday his extension of the state’s strict 14-day travel quarantine for out-of-state tourists until September 1. But the state will allow University of Hawaii students and those who attend other colleges to come back next month if they have a negative coronavirus test and live in a “modified bubble.” This means they can participate in university activities but otherwise must quarantine for 14 days at their residences. [KITV; Honolulu Star-Advertiser]
UBER AND LYFT | Massachusetts this week became the second state after California to sue Uber and Lyft over the way the companies classify their drivers as independent contractors. Maura Healey, the state’s attorney general, said that ride hailing businesses are using the classification to their advantage so they don’t have to provide sick leave, paid time off, or unemployment insurance. Instead, they should instead classify drivers as employees. “Uber and Lyft have built their billion-dollar businesses while denying their drivers basic employee protections and benefits for years. This business model is unfair and exploitative,” she said. [New York Times]
MASKS FOR VOTING | Ahead of Alabama’s July 14 primary runoff election, the state Attorney General Steve Marshall warned county election officials that they can not require voters to wear masks at precincts. “Though the Attorney General strongly recommends that voters and poll workers follow CDC guidelines when in public places and behave in a manner that is respectful of poll workers and fellow voters, it is clear that state law does not allow for an individual’s qualification to vote to be contingent upon the wearing of a mask or face covering, respecting social distancing, using gloves, or having a temperature in a normal range,” reads a letter from the AG. [Sand Mountain Reporter]
CORONAVIRUS POSTER | New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a unique poster with an artistic visualization of the state’s fight against coronavirus this week. The poster, which shows a mountain that the state has overcome in fighting the virus, was both derided by critics and kinda celebrated by R. Eric Thomas in Elle, who wrote, “The mere existence of this excellent piece of art is both perplexing and exhilarating.” Cuomo said that he had the poster created because he “love[s] history” and “love[s] poster art.” [New York Magazine]
Laura Maggi is the managing editor of Route Fifty and Emma Coleman is the assistant editor.
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