Domestic News
New NFAP Policy Brief: US Immigration Policy and the Competition
Global competition has always been a driving factor in the US. We have always considered the US as a country that offers the most rewards for talent. But changes are brewing, with emerging economies slowly but steadily improving their talent competitiveness. There has been much reporting on the fact that the US faces looming workforce shortages and continues to rely on an old and outdated immigration system. As a result, America now has a smaller share of immigrants than many other countries, a notion once unthinkable in this “nation of immigrants.” New reporting from the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) dives into the essential role of foreign born scientists and engineers needed and the impact they will have on our economy.
“Admitting more foreign-born scientists and engineers will be essential for the U.S. economy and American companies to compete with China and its companies in the 21st century, according to new research from the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP). Americans will benefit from the increased innovation, productivity and economic growth these immigrants and visa holders bring whether the United States pursues a policy of mutually beneficial economic ties with China or adopts a more confrontational posture”.
Read more on the National Foundation for American Policy website >
Washington’s Center of Gravity on Immigration Has Shifted to the Right. Can the Parties Make a Deal?
A day in the life of an immigration advocate in DC! When discussing student-related issues with Hill staff, the issue of the border almost always enters into the conversation. Trying to remind policymakers that we are discussing legal immigration and much-needed and long-overdue reforms is always a challenge. The reporting in the previous article is a perfect example of why policymakers need to fully understand the positive impacts legal immigration has had and will continue to on the US economy.
“Long gone are the chatter and horse-trading between parties over how to secure a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, or a modernized work permit system to encourage more legal migration. Instead, the fights of late have centered on how much to tighten asylum laws and restrain a president’s traditional powers to protect certain groups of migrants.”
Learn more from the Associated Press >
‘Change the Discourse’ on Value of International Students in US, DHS Told
Shared previously, Shorelight has joined other leading higher education associations in the formation of a new coalition, U.S. for Success. The focus of this coalition is to foster international student success through a coordinated national effort. In one of our first collective actions, we submitted recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security with a set of recommendations to make the US a more welcoming destination for international students.
“Within the recommendations set out, the committee is urging DHS to ‘champion the importance of international students by consistently articulating their value’ and to meet regularly with the international education community to discuss issues affecting the sector’s ability to compete globally for international student talent.”
Get the full story on The PIE News >
Global News
Canada
More International Students Are Seeking Asylum in Canada, Numbers Reveal
This is an interesting story: Considering the rapid increase in international students in Canada, the asylum number of refugee claims has also increased. International student asylum claims have increased about 2.7 times to 4,880 cases last year, up from 1,835 in 2018. Canada’s international student population also surged approximately 1.4 times, to 807,750 from 567,065 in the same period. It is important to note that these claims amount to less than 1% of international students.
“What’s happening is just that there is overall mass displacement and people who are arriving in the country in the international student program are becoming refugees while they’re here,” said Hussan Syed, executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, a national advocacy group for foreign workers and students. “We’ve never met anybody who came to the country with the aim of becoming a refugee claimant, trying to fool the system there because it is just easier to come on a tourist visa.”
Read more on the Toronto Star >
Australia
Foreign Uni Enrollments Rise Again Amid Visa Crackdown
It is always valuable to understand the challenges that our global competitors are working through. In Australia, they struggled through the pandemic and most recently have been faced with a housing crisis impacting international students. This has resulted in a review of their current stragtegic plan for international students and more closely monitoring visa applications. The government has made changes to policy and still has several recommendations under review. These efforts are resulting in lower visa approval rates resulting in serious financial impacts for institutions and raising concerns among potential international students considering Australia.
“In just four months between June and September, student visa approvals from India fell from 73 per cent to 42 per cent, Pakistan from 64 per cent to 30 per cent, The Philippines from 81 per cent to 36 per cent and Nigeria from 71 to 29 per cent. In 2023, student numbers from India were up 140 per cent Mr Mackey said.”
Learn more on the Financial Review >
Germany
Germany’s Work Opportunities & Price Point Attracting International Students
While we look at Canada, the UK, and Australia as our main competitors, we are seeing increased competition from several countries such as Germany. One of the reasons for their success is a strategic approach between education and labor. They are working with institutions to recruit and retain international students that match their job market. This is something that many of us in the US want to be included in a national recruitment strategy.
“Up to 25 university projects, with access to some €700,000 each, will support academics in adapting their qualifications to the requirements of the German labor market, in addition to specialist application coaching or job-related language and communication training.”
“In this way, we strengthen the integration of international students at universities and in our society. At the same time, we ensure that young people from all over the world have better career opportunities in Germany after successfully completing their studies and help alleviate the shortage of skilled workers.”
Get the full story on The PIE News >
