June 25, 2022
Global Talent Recruitment: USA Lacking Edge in International Student Enrolment
A A US Congress sub-committee has heard that international students arriving in the United States of America face a harsh reality of “being turned away”. The committee cites harsh American laws as a reason why global students aren’t able to fulfil their dream of working in the country.
The subcommittee on immigration, citizenship, and border security, chaired by Senator Alex Padilla, held a hearing on "Strengthening our Workforce and Economy through Higher Education and Immigration." The chairman of the committee was quoted as saying, “Enrolment of international students is falling. Potential international students are increasingly questioning whether it is worth it to come to study if there’s no path for them to stay and to work after graduation.”
…other countries who compete with us for economic and political leadership are making it more attractive for international students to come to their universities, and stay...
It is not the first time Senator Alex Padilla showed public support for the international education sector. In 2021 he wrote to the US government, expressing "continued concerns" about student visa delays. Speaking on the issue he added, “Other countries who compete with us for economic and political leadership are making it more attractive for international students to come to their universities, and stay. They’re more than eager to recruit the students who are no longer coming to the United States. And why wouldn’t they be?”
The hearing that took place on the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy's implementation, highlighted those hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients continue to face "roadblocks and uncertainty" due to their immigration status.
The Presidents' Alliance issued a public statement about the hearing, “All students deserve access to affordable higher education. No student should be denied access to higher education or financial aid based on their immigration status alone – congress has the ability to make statutory changes to clear the way for any student to pursue higher education and a later career” it read. The alliance also insisted on a "permanent solution" for DACA recipients from Congress.
A first step for congress, NAFSA said, would be to allow international student visa applicants to express interest in remaining in the US after graduation.
Posted in News and tagged News, USA, Global Talent Recruitment, NAFSA, Higher Education, DACA
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