March Madness and America’s Greatest Advantage
For those of you who didn’t get a chance to read Tom Dretler’s op-ed this week, take a moment to do so. Tom does a great job laying out the reasons why the US needs to remain the dominant leader in higher education. The world is watching, and now is not the time for us to remain silent; we must speak up to the administration.
We have the undisputed best higher education system in the world — a key driver of innovation, talent development, medical advancements, and the cornerstone of our global competitiveness. Yet today, universities are navigating massive federal cuts and chaotic executive orders impacting research, financial aid, and the ability to attract the world’s top talent.
Brace for Immigration Changes to Be Introduced Overnight, Warn Attorneys, as Inviting Public Comment Is No Longer Necessary
On February 12th, the President signed an Executive Order establishing One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations. The EO grants authority to the Secretary of State to make changes to the Foreign Affairs Manual, bypassing the public notice and comment rule making process. A good example of this would be the current rule for F-1 visas from “Duration of Stay” to “Duration of Status.” In the past, to change this policy, it would have to be posted on the Federal Register with a determined amount of time to allow for public comment (a process that could take months). With this new EO, the Secretary of State could simply publish the change onto the Federal Register as a final rule. We will be monitoring any and all changes that could impact student visas and keep you updated.
Florida-based Ashwin Sharma said, “Rubio’s memo is a procedural Trojan horse. It quietly unlocks the gates, granting Trump 2.0 unchecked freedom to reshape immigration law at will.”
Learn more on The Times of India >
International Students Weigh New Risks of Pursuing Higher Education in the US Under Trump
Students are concerned about the changes the current administration is making and are being forced to make tough decisions about whether to travel during breaks or steering clear of issues that may be seen as controversial. While the atmosphere is charged, and there seems to be uncertainty regarding where the US is heading, it’s important to remember and remind students that they are still welcome in the US. The vast majority of students are not being impacted by the administration’s policies.
“We have international students at lots of universities,” said [Fanta Aw, who heads NAFSA], and news coverage has focused on consequences for international students at just a couple of colleges. “So we have to also put into perspective the fact that the vast majority of students are in universities where we’re not hearing anything.”
Get the full story on U.S. News & World Report >
Here’s What You Need to Know about Your Rights When Entering the US
This helpful read provides thoughtful and thorough answers to questions about new policies or concerns that may impact students traveling to the US.
With serious concerns growing about whether visitors can safely travel to the US without fear of landing in immigration detention, here is a brief guide to international visitors’ rights.
