Letter to the State Department: Prioritize Processing of Student Visas

Dear Assistant Secretary Namdar,

On behalf of the American Council on Education and the undersigned major higher education associations, we write to ask the U.S. Department of State to once again prioritize the processing of international student and scholar visas for the upcoming peak season, ahead of the fall academic semester. Previous administrations, including the first Trump administration, prioritized the processing of student visas, helping provide certainty to international students, our institutions, and the consular officers working at U.S. missions abroad.

The increase in student visa applications from spring through August for U.S. fall semester arrivals can result in limited appointment availability, long wait times for interviews, and potential visa processing delays that would impact the ability of students to arrive on time for their academic programs. In light of increased screening requirements, such as social media vetting¹, streamlining the application review process during the upcoming peak season is crucial for preventing a backlog of applications. Consistent with the approach of previous administrations, it is imperative that consular posts receive clear direction to prioritize student interview appointments and visa application processing, ensuring there are no unnecessary delays for students looking to arrive for the start of the fall academic term in the United States.

We recognize the necessity of a thorough vetting process. At the same time, it is important to ensure access to visa appointments. Delays can hinder the ability of U.S. colleges and universities to attract global talent. Growing concerns about the visa application process and increased U.S. travel restrictions have created an environment of uncertainty for international scholars.² As the administration takes steps that may dampen interest of prospective students and deter enrollment, other nations— including the United Kingdom, European Union members, and China—are aggressively capitalizing on our losses and attracting global talent. In order to maintain U.S. global competitiveness, visa processing must remain predictable.

When international students are unable to secure timely appointments or are unable to receive proper visa issuance, the cost to the United States is profound:

• International students contribute nearly $43 billion annually to local U.S. communities and support more than 355,000 American jobs.³
• Every three international students who study here create one American job.⁴
• International talent grows the STEM pipeline. Approximately 57 percent of international students pursue STEM degrees, and they make up nearly half of the graduates in U.S. STEM master’s and doctoral programs.⁵
• The U.S. leads in artificial intelligence, partly because of international talent, with 70 percent of full-time graduate students in AI-related fields being international students. Furthermore, half of all STEM workers with advanced degrees in defense-related industries are foreign-born.⁶
• International enrollment keeps academic programs viable and affordable for domestic students.

At U.S. public universities, the enrollment of a single international student enables two additional domestic students to attend.⁷

President Trump has publicly stated that cutting off international students from our college and university system would be harmful.⁸ We respectfully request that you prioritize student visa processing to ensure our national competitiveness for years to come.

While we ask that you prioritize student visa processing in the upcoming months, we would also appreciate a briefing for the higher education community regarding how the State Department is implementing the new screening policies and ensuring the continued timely processing of student visas. We welcome the opportunity to meet with your staff to discuss anticipated demand and ensure America’s colleges and universities remain the top destination for global talent. Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Ted Mitchell, President

On behalf of:

ACPA-College Student Educators International

American Association of Colleges and Universities

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

American Association of State Colleges and Universities

American Association of University Professors

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges

American Council of Learned Societies

American Council on Education

Association of American Law Schools

Association of American Universities

Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

Association of Community College Trustees

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities

Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

Association of Research Libraries

Career Education Colleges and Universities

COGR

Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area

Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Council of Graduate Schools

EDUCAUSE

ETS

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

National Association for College Admission Counseling

National Association of Colleges and Employers

National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

UPCEA – The Online and Professional Education Association