[121789]

I think there are many interpretations that are all probably a little true

Generous interpretation: if classes are primarily online, international students do not have a reason to reside in the US except for easier access to the labor market. With 20M Americans out of work, the administration is prioritizing citizens for first access to the labor market.

Skeptical interpretation: This is another anti-immigrant change that uses COVID as a scapegoat for racist/nativist policy.

I generally interpret most of the administration's moves as political gambles. Given current trends in deaths, they may be hoping that daily deaths are near zero with the country mostly opened back up by October. That seems like the only path to reelection given the current gap in approval ratings between the two candidates.

[kec]

F-1 students don't have access to the labor market outside of OPT which is limited and subject to government approval.