NASHVILLE (AP) — Vanderbilt University has joined an effort to stop federal guidelines that would force international students to leave the U.S. or transfer to another college if their schools offer classes entirely online this fall.

Vanderbilt said Monday it joined dozens of other universities in a court brief supporting a lawsuit by Harvard and MIT against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy.

The suit asks a federal court to block the rules from taking effect. The suit cites the value of international diversity to America's colleges and claims the new directive violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

"These policies must be rescinded because they will have potentially disastrous consequences," Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said in a release. "International students contribute greatly to the innovation and knowledge creation happening at America's great research universities."

The guidelines provide additional pressure for universities to reopen even amid growing concerns about the recent spread of COVID-19 among young adults.