EIU Media Relations

A Message to EIU's International Student Community from Dean Hendrickson

To our EIU International Students, and to All Others it May Concern— 

As a University community, we are pleased with the recent decision by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 14, 2020, to rescind its announced policies on July 6, 2020 regarding international students and remote learning. Eastern Illinois University was one of several Illinois institutions in active opposition to the procedural adaptations that sought to limit, prohibit, or remove our nation’s broader international student populations from studying in the United States.Yesterday, July 13, the State of Illinois and Illinois Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit on behalf of Eastern Illinois University and other universities in the state seeking an injunction to stop the implementation of the entire new federal rule. EIU joined 15 other institutions in Illinois and 17 other states/districts in the lawsuit, which resulted in today’s retraction of the policy.

For the fall semester 2020, EIU will offer a combination of face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses. Additional guidance for new and current students is forthcoming. We remain committed to supporting international students at EIU, and welcome a robust and diverse international student population.

We will continue to monitor and share updates regarding the potential impact of federal directives, and remain committed to supporting and enhancing a welcoming, multicultural campus that embraces the invaluable perspectives and diverse skillsets of all EIU students.  

Thank you,          

Dr. Ryan Hendrickson
Dean of The Graduate School