International students have been a major force behind U.S. leadership in research and innovation, both on college campuses and in the workplace. More than a quarter of all billion-dollar startups in this country were founded by international students. During the 2022-2023 academic year, they generated more than $40 billion and supported nearly 370,000 jobs in the U.S. economy. International students on U.S. campuses also provide American students with exposure to other countries and cultures, which is essential for their U.S. workforce success.

Today’s talented students have more choices than ever for their higher education. To be competitive in attracting international students, Congress must update immigration law to allow international students the option of working in the United States after graduation and create a viable path for them to do so. As argued in a recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, "International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment,” the United States needs “more stable and better pathways for international talent” to work and obtain permanent residency after graduation.

Ask: When immigration reform begins to move forward, members of Congress must include two provisions to attract and retain international students:

  1. Dual Intent for F-1 Students. Current immigration law requires applicants for F-1 student visas to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the reviewing U.S. consular officer that they intend to leave the United States after their course of study—i.e., that they do not intend to immigrate to the United States. We should not force F-1 students, before they even start their studies, to say that they have no intention of staying and contributing to the United States after they graduate.

  2. Direct Path to Green Card for International Graduates of U.S. Colleges and Universities. There is broad, bipartisan support for creating a clear path to green card status for certain international students graduating from U.S. colleges and universities. To meet our national needs, immigration law should be changed to provide an achievable path to green card status for all advanced degree graduates (master’s level and higher) in all fields.

     

NAFSA Contact:
Heather Stewart, Counsel and Director, Immigration Policy
[email protected]