Students From Canada/Mexico No Longer Allowed Entry as Visitors
Posted Jun 07, 2002

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Buffalo, NY District Office, announced that, effective May 22, 2002, students residing in contiguous territories (i.e. Canada and Mexico) will no longer be allowed to enter the U.S. to attend school on a part-time basis. This policy is based on existing laws and regulations prohibiting admittance of persons as visitors if their purpose in coming to the U.S. is to study. (Of course, visitors have always been allowed to take courses on a casual or incidental basis, as long as their main purpose is to visit and not to study.)

Apparently, there are many students in the contiguous countries who commute in and out of the U.S. to attend classes. Those who are enrolled in full-time studies may be able to obtain F-1 or M-1 student visas. However, part-time students would not be eligible for student visas.

The INS is working to develop a possible legislative solution for these commuting students. At present, however, only those students who began attending classes before May 22, 2002 will be granted entry as visitors. These students will be given humanitarian parole to finish their current sessions of school. In order to gain admission, they must have proof of enrollment prior to May 22, 2002 and must request parole each time they enter the U.S. They are advised to allow additional time for processing at the Port of Entry.