NAFSA Statement on STEM Jobs Act of 2012

WASHINGTON, November 29, 2012 - NAFSA: Association ofInternational Educators opposes H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012, because it perpetuates a divisive, us-versus-them approach to immigration reform.

NAFSA supports the goal of creating a direct path to green cards for graduates of U.S. institutions of higher education, including but not limited to the STEM fields. Talented, innovative people are found in all fields, and all who are prepared to become productive members of our society and to contribute to our economy should be welcome. We do not support creating a new path for international students by eliminating another immigration program.

In the acrimonious political debate about immigration reform, we lose our way by embracing a mistaken, zero-sum approach to permanent immigration. Proposals like H.R. 6429 in this context appear guided by the fear of doing anything that increases the number of people who may immigrate to the United States. There is no reason to regard the current annual limit on the number of green cards as sacrosanct law.

We believe immigration is an opportunity, not a threat. Immigrants renew this nation and have done so since the country was created. The United States has been successful at attracting and integrating immigrants who have added tremendous value to our country and economy. We must continue to do so through a reformed immigration system that meets the needs of the whole nation.

NAFSA looks forward to supporting a comprehensive immigration reform bill that provides new immigration opportunities. Such a bill will be possible when the discussions move away from responding to individual constituent demands and towards a win-win situation that addresses the needs of all of us.

Via NAFSA Media/Press release.

15-Year Old Engineering Whiz Kid Kelvin Doe from Sierra Leon visits MIT

Interview: How David Comp Found His Niche In Education Abroad (my interview with Brooke Roberts of Inside Study Abroad)

Many thanks to Brooke Roberts of Inside Study Abroad and GoAbroad.com for the interview!



You can read more about the interview on Inside Study Abroad!

Secretary Clinton's Remarks on International Education

International Students Contribute More than $21.8 Billion to the U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON, November 12, 2012 – International students and their families contributed more than $21.8 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2011–2012 academic year, according to a new NAFSA report released today. California, New York, and Texas welcomed the largest numbers of international students, and those and other states across the country saw substantial benefits from spending by these students and their families on living expenses, tuition, and fees.

 “International students bring important economic benefits to the United States. They bring incalculable academic value to U.S. colleges and universities and cultural value to local communities as international enrollments grow,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene M. Johnson. “However, there is much more we can do as a nation to promote student exchange and study abroad and this data clearly points to the potential future benefit of a cohesive and proactive international education strategy for our nation.”

·        See NAFSA’s new international student spending data by state, congressional district, and top receiving institutions of higher education.

·        View results of a snapshot survey of international student enrollments conducted by NAFSA and seven other higher-education and international-education organizations.

The economic impact analysis was conducted for NAFSA by Jason Baumgartner, director of information services, Indiana University-Bloomington’s Office of International Services, using tuition and living expense data provided by Wintergreen Orchard House, a leading college data provider, and foreign student enrollment data provided by the Institute of International Education’s annual “Open Doors” report.

Study Abroad Numbers Released

The numbers of American students studying abroad increased to 273,996 during the 2010-11 academic year, up by 1.25 percent from 270,604 in 2009-10, according to figures released today by the Institute of International Education. Fewer than 2 percent of all American college students study abroad.

·        NAFSA's new report provides a breakdown of the percentage of college students in each state who studied abroad in 2010–2011, allowing institutions and state leaders to gauge how they compare with national trends.

·        NAFSA’s new study abroad demographics chart offers further data on participation trends.

 Note:  Taken from a NAFSA press release

'Sunshine and Shade' - A New Documentary on the Experiences of Indian Students in Australia to be Broadcast on Public TV in India

Rob Malicki from AIM Overseas analyses the Australian Government's recent announcement of the AsiaBound program to increase the number of Australian students studying in Asia.

 

You can learn more about AIM Overseas and the contributions they are making to outbound mobility research and policy in Australia via their website.