Academic, Scientific, Engineering, Groups Praise Administration Visa Efforts, Urge Further StepsCall for high-level interagency review of post 9-11 policies and procedures
NAFSA: Association of International Educators, along with a coalition of academic, science, and engineering organizations, today urged the federal government to take additional steps to improve the visa process for international students, scholars, and scientists, including creation of a high-level interagency panel to review all the government's post-9/11 visa policies and procedures.
"[We] have been deeply concerned about the significant increase in delays experienced earlier this year by many international students, scholars, and scientists who have applied for visas to study, conduct research, or attend conferences in this country," the groups wrote in a joint statement. "Lengthy and unnecessary delays frustrate and discourage" these individuals from traveling to the United States to work, study, or attend conferences.
The statement praises recent actions taken by the federal government, as well as those taken over the past several years, to address the concerns of the academic and scientific communities in the wake of restrictions imposed after 9/11. The organizations state that the federal government should build on these positive actions by taking a number of steps to improve the visa process further.
View the full statement.
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About NAFSA
NAFSA is the world’s largest membership association dedicated to international education. With nearly 10,000 members, the association seeks to increase awareness of and support for international education and exchange in higher education, government, and the community, believing that citizens with international experience and global awareness are crucial to U.S. leadership, competitiveness, and security. 