Feb 18, 2015 12:01 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The University of Massachusetts' the school's flagship campus is sticking by a new policy barring Iranian students from certain chemical engineering graduate programs.

According to the Boston Globe, UMass - Amherst's new policy appears to be rare among U.S. colleges and universities, if not the first of its kind. The school has said the policy was put in place to align themselves with the U.S. government's sanctions against Iran.

The policy has also garnered stark opposition from the UMass Iranian Graduate Students Association (IGSA).

"We feel that it's against the American spirit of freedom in education," Amir Azadi, a member in the group, told the Globe.

The group may also have legal grounds to be outraged. The National Iranian American Council told the Associated Press UMass' policy seems to misinterpret the U.S.' sanctions against Iran. That misinterpretation may also violate federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

"All visa applications are reviewed individually in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and other relevant laws that establish detailed standards for determining eligibility for visas and admission to the United States," an anonymous U.S. State Department official told the Globe. "U.S. law does not prohibit qualified Iranian nationals coming to the United States for education in science and engineering.

"Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis."

UMass-Amherst deleted the policy Friday after its release, the Huffington Post reported, but said they are sticking by it later that day.

"We recognize that our adherence to federal law may create difficulties for our students from Iran and regard this as unfortunate," the school said in a statement to the HP. "Furthermore, the exclusion of a class of students from admission directly conflicts with our institutional values and principles. However, as with any college or university, we have no choice but to institute policies and procedure to ensure that we are in full compliance with all applicable laws."

Mike Malone, UMass's vice chancellor for research and engagement, said the school wanted to ensure they were looking out for their students and faculty. He also said he felt like UMass - Amherst is not the only school with such a policy, but could be alone in publishing it.

"We don't like it," Malone told the Globe. "We'd rather have free access, but we consulted with the law and with outside counsel on this."

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