University Leadership Unite in Opposition to Executive Order Travel Ban

31 of the top universities in the United States joined forces and filed an amicus brief challenging the Trump administration’s revised travel ban. Although the new version of the Executive Order only bars people from six specific Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S., universities are already seeing negative effects on their campuses. As stated in the briefing, filed on March 31, the Executive Order threatens universities’ ability to attract top talent and to educate tomorrow’s leaders, and is hindering international student applications.Universities agree that the timing of the new travel restrictions comes at a critical time in the school year’s application season. Accepted students may not be able to obtain visas on time and could chose other study destinations. Moreover, prospective visiting faculty and scholars are also impacted. According to amici: “many admissions letters for fall of 2017 have been sent out in the past month, and prospective international students have a short window to decide whether to attend a United States college or university.”As per the Mitchell Hamline School of Law definition, an amicus brief is a “legal document filed in appellate court cases by non-litigants with a strong interest in the subject matter. The briefs advise the court of relevant, additional information or arguments that the court might wish to consider.” This briefing was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit of Maryland, which will hear oral arguments in May.Read the full brief here and see below for a list of the signee universities:Boston   University,   Brandeis   University,   Brown   University, Bucknell University, Carnegie   Mellon   University,   Case   Western   Reserve   University,   Columbia  University,  Cornell  University,  Dartmouth  College,  Duke  University,  Emory   University,   George   Washington   University,   Georgetown   niversity,   Harvard   University,   Johns   Hopkins   University,   Massachusetts   Institute   of   Technology, Middlebury    College, Northeastern    University, Northwestern University,  Princeton  University,  Rice  University,  Stanford  University,  Tufts University, University   of   Chicago,   University   of   Michigan,  University   of   Pennsylvania, University    of    Southern    California,    Vanderbilt    University,    Washington  University, Worcester  Polytechnic  Institute,  and  Yale  University

Latin America Agents Report Decline in English Language Learning in the U.S.

The PIE News reports that interest among Latin American students to study in the United States will stagnate with students seeking other English Language destinations. Agents at the International Association of Language Centers workshop in Boston said that the White House’s anti-immigration rhetoric has given rise to concern among families of Latin American students being unsafe and unwelcome in the United States.This is not to say that interest in learning English through study abroad has decreased, just that more students will go to other countries, such as Canada. Canada has reported a spike in interest from Latin American students while 40 percent of U.S. institutions have seen a drop in application numbers. Comparatively lower study costs, work rights, and a welcoming approach have contributed to the diversion of students from the U.S. to Canada. Isabel Matos, director of ICCE, an international student recruitment agency, stated that Canada had already replaced the United States as the most popular destination for Brazilians to learn English.While the U.S. visa system has been engulfed in turmoil, on December 1, 2016, Canada lifted its visa restriction for Mexican students attending language programs lasting less than six months. Michael Bailey, a Canadian embassy officer in Mexico, said that the government expects to see an increase in bilateral government-to-government programs, scholarship programs and exchange opportunities in the next six to 12 months.

Letter to the Editor: Politico "They Think We Are Slaves"

Editor
POLITICO

Dear Editor:

POLITICO’s coverage of the Au Pair Program (“They Think We Are Slaves,” March 27) was surprisingly one-sided. While any report of an au pair having a less than positive stay in America is troubling, one would get the impression from your story that this is the rule rather than the exception.

While the article repeatedly mentions a State Department 2015 Au Pair report, nowhere does it point out that in that very report 93% of au pairs and 92% of host families surveyed responded that they would recommend the au pair program to others. Indeed, the article does not feature a single au pair who had a satisfying experience.

Your article also mistakenly conflates “incidents” with “complaints” to the Department of State to suggest that the latter are very high. In fact, the “complaints” sited in the article cover a wide variety of situations, including illnesses and accidents. Moreover, the article anonymously quotes au pairs whose stories cannot be verified.

The au pair program has thrived for over thirty years because both host families and au pairs are genuinely satisfied and appreciative of the unique cultural exchange benefits it provides. It is a shame that this article and your inflammatory title maligns a program that has created tens of thousands of profoundly deep and personal relationships across cultures, borders, and generations.

Sincerely,

Ilir Zherka
Executive Director

As published in Politico in response to: ‘They Think We Are Slaves’ on March 27, 2017.

Summer Work Travel Data Released in Department of State Report

The U.S. Department of State released its 2016 Summer Work Travel Monitoring Report, a study conducted by the Office of Private Sector Exchange (ECA/EC). The report analyzes the program through 446 field site visits across 25 states, and interviews with 1,582 exchange visitors and 362 host placements. Overall, the findings show that 97% of all SWT exchange visitors interviewed reported being happy or somewhat happy with their program experience, and nearly 90% were happy with their sponsors. Over 90% reported having the chance to practice English in their workplaces, and 87% were happy with their housing.Specific season findings are also detailed in the report. For instance, during Winter, more participants said they engaged in cultural activities, but a common issue was low work hours resulting from snowfall. During Spring, less countries participated in the program and fewer cultural activities were available, but more participants reported having opportunities to practice English. Lastly, the Summer season is much more organized in terms of arranging housing and transportation for participants. Data also indicated high levels of sponsor-employer communication.The report also includes findings from the Camp Counselor category review, most notably that nearly all Camp Counselors (95%) said they participated in cultural activities. Yet despite the positive findings, challenges in the program remain. 20% of respondents reported having problems with transportation, and 15% indicated not being happy with their housing. As noted in the report, OPA noted a lack of interaction with Americans among exchange visitors working as housekeepers, and staffing agency placements that may not meet the regulatory requirements.

Political Climate Affecting International Student Applications

A new survey reveals that nearly 40 percent of U.S. higher education institutions are seeing a drop in the amount of applications from international students. At 39 percent, the highest declines involved undergraduate applications from the Middle East, as reported by Inside Higher Ed. More than 250 U.S. colleges and universities participated in the survey, which was conducted by six higher education groups including the Institute of International Education and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.This decline in applications and concerns about future enrollment is more noticeable because steady increases in the international student population have become the norm – reaching an all-time high in 2016 at about 1,050,000[1]. The decline is of concern to the institutions and to the American people for several reasons. International students typically pay full tuition, essentially subsidizing the cost for American students going to school on financial aid. Furthermore, international students comprise more than half of the graduates with a P.H.D in STEM fields (Science, Engineering, Technology, Medicine), according to the Atlantic.International students that decide not to apply to the U.S. will likely go to Canada, Britain, Australia or Norway – a shift that will negatively impact American innovation, as stated in the Atlantic. As highlighted by Inside Higher Ed, the list of major concerns for prospective international students, especially those from Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, include:

• Perception of the U.S. as providing a less welcoming and tolerant climate for immigrants
• Perception or a rise in student visa denials at U.S. embassies and consulates
• Concerns that benefits and restrictions around visas could change, especially around the ability to travel, re-entry after travel and employment opportunities
• Concerns that the executive order travel ban might expand to include additional countries

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[1] IIE’s Open Doors Report 2016

Former Ambassadors Address Congress on Budget Cuts to U.S. Department of State

The American Academy of Diplomacy and the Council of American Ambassadors call on Congress to reject the proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of State. In a public letter addressed to congressional leadership, the group of distinguished former American diplomats argue that cutting funds for diplomatic efforts at this level would pose serious risks to American security.Signed by the leadership of both organizations, the letter details current major global crises for which diplomacy is the most effective tool to employ. The Ambassadors highlight the important work of embassies and the Foreign Service in the fight against the Islamic State, combating the threat of diseases outbreaks, keeping Americans safe while abroad, and creating new business ties worldwide.

“US public diplomacy fights radicalism. Educational exchanges over the years have enabled hundreds of thousands of foreign students truly to understand Americans and American culture. This is far more effective in countering radical propaganda than social media. The American Immigration Law Foundation estimates that 46 current and 165 former heads of government are US graduates.”

According to the letter, the current budget proposal is not a cost-effective way to protect America and its interests. If diplomatic efforts are reduced, the chances of war increase, which is why many American military leaders are opposed to the budget proposal as well.For more information visit: www.academyofdiplomacy.org

Alliance Opposes Unprecedented Proposed Cuts to State Department

For Immediate Release
Contact: Oriana Pina
202-293-6141

Washington, DC - The Trump administration released its budget calling for an unprecedented cut of 28 percent to the Department of State, and significant but unspecified cuts to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). ECA funds and oversees a wide range of critical international exchange programs which enable people-to-people diplomacy.

“The cuts to the State Department budget recommended by the administration, if enacted, would greatly harm our nation’s public diplomacy efforts and, ultimately, our national security and economy,” said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange.

Educational and cultural exchange programs have been a critical component of our national security policy since the end of World War II. Often described as part of our “soft power” strategy, these programs bring internationals to the United States for short term, full immersion stays that range from weeks to an entire academic year. Students, professors, emerging political leaders, and others receive grants to visit the United States. Internationals strengthen their English, experience our democratic values, and develop deep ties to our country. Exchange alumni enable closer relationships between America and other countries. In fact, the State Department reports that 1 in 3 current world leaders have been on an exchange program in the United States. In another Department study, 92 percent of participants from Muslim majority countries reported having a more favorable view of the United States.

The vast majority of the ECA’s budget is spent in the United States. Grants from ECA fund travel, lodging, and meals at U.S. businesses. The grants are administered by American nonprofit organizations that employee thousands of people here and enrich the lives of millions across the country. This investment creates the conditions for international students to come to the United States. Over a million such students studied here in 2015, adding over $32 billion dollars to our economy and supporting over 400,000 jobs.

“Defense Secretary James Mattis has previously suggested that the way to reduce the possibility of war is to increase people-to-people diplomacy,” added Zherka. “We should heed his advice. We applaud Senators Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, as well as House leaders who have already rejected deep cuts to the State Department’s budget. The Alliance urges Congress to strengthen our national security and economy by supporting robust funding for international exchange programs.”

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