Princeton University issued a statement on its website on the 21st, joining other universities in opposing the new federal visa policy to protect international scholars and students from its impact.
The joint opposition by 65 universities targets the new visa policy released by the Trump administration in August. Under long-standing U.S. immigration policy, when a person's visa becomes invalid, the "unlawful presence" days begin to accumulate only from the day after the government officially determines the visa is invalid.
The new policy effective in August stipulates: for students (F visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and vocational students (M visa), the "unlawful presence" can start being counted from the day after their program ends or their visa expires.
The amicus brief argues that this new visa rule will put international students in a difficult position, subjecting tens of thousands of F/J/M visa holders to 3-year or 10-year re-entry bans with no recourse.
According to NAFSA data, in 2017-2018, international students contributed $39 billion to the U.S. economy, and their economic activities supported over 455,000 American jobs.
Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia stated, "International students and scholars are vital members of our campus community and important contributors to our nation. The talents, perspectives, knowledge, and enthusiasm they bring benefit the entire country and contribute to our common good."
The amicus brief also points out that a 10% increase in the share of international students among graduate degree recipients leads to a 5.1% increase in patent grants. International scholars and students continue to contribute to the U.S. economy beyond their enrollment. Research shows that among U.S. startups valued at over $1 billion, nearly one-quarter had a founder who originally came to the U.S. as an international student.
The new visa policy will not only weaken the U.S. ability to compete for international students and scholars. At the same time, the decline in international student enrollment and reduced interaction with international researchers and faculty will have adverse, even devastating, effects on the U.S. higher education system.
U.S. News published a survey last month on the 13th, stating that while the total number of international students increased by 1.5%, the number of new international students enrolling in U.S. universities in fall 2017 dropped by more than 6%.
The instability in the U.S. has left more international freshmen in a wait-and-see attitude, and the visa new rule effective this August has undoubtedly deepened their doubts about studying in the U.S.
For Chinese students, under the dual impact of tightened F1 policies and the recently paused U.S.-China trade war, whether to study in the U.S. has become a concern for some students and their parents.
Under these circumstances, U.S. universities can't sit still. The new visa rule not only affects international students and scholars but will also harm the institutions that recruit them. Universities are thinking of countermeasures; UIUC's business and engineering schools even signed a three-year contract with an insurance company, buying a $60 million policy to guard against a decline in Chinese students.
This Monday, the amicus brief signed by 65 U.S. universities brought greater reassurance to international students wishing to study in the U.S. It can be seen that the U.S. education sector still maintains a friendly and welcoming attitude toward international students and is actively taking measures to protect their rights.
Back in October, the U.S. Embassy in China officially stated that it will continue to welcome Chinese students and will not tighten student visas.
Therefore, students wanting to study in the U.S. need not be overly anxious; the prospects for U.S. study remain bright. Don't forget that CheersYou（清柚教育） is here to safeguard your study abroad journey.
As situations change and policies shift, CheersYou（清柚教育） will always be with you, making your study abroad experience more secure!
