Dear Erica,
The month of March certainly came in like a lion, with U.S. military action in Iran sending reverberations throughout the Middle East and around the world. As NAFSA CEO said in a personal reflection on LinkedIn, “for many in our global community, these events are not distant headlines and they are deeply personal. Loved ones are in harm’s way, campuses are supporting students, and communities are navigating fear, uncertainty, grief, and hope. May you find strength in your communities, comfort in one another, and know that many around the world are holding you in care and solidarity.” Indeed.
Be sure to visit the NAFSA blog, Resources for Crisis Response in International Education for links, including the Crisis Intake Form for American citizens in the region in need of travel assistance. We also are updating the NAFSA blog post with resources related to immigration enforcement on campus.
The PIE News reported earlier this week that U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem (dismissed from her post on March 5), confirmed the agency has launched a reevaluation of the Optional Practical Training program. When NAFSA reviewed the January 9, 2026, letter from Secretary Noem to Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), there was nothing new; just a reiteration that OPT was included in last spring’s Regulatory Agenda. Nevertheless, NAFSA remains vigilant and our advocates will reinforce the importance of OPT to members of Congress during our upcoming virtual Advocacy Day on March 18. Stay tuned for how you can add your voice.
In this week’s good news department, more U.S. students studied abroad in the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data available) than the year before that—six percent more, to be exact. Visit NAFSA’s page to see updated participation information by state, host region, and race/ethnicity. While this is good news, we know the U.S. can, and must do better, in providing more opportunities for study abroad. This recently updated NAFSA infographic does a handy job of conveying that. Download and share with your stakeholders.
Speaking of expanding access to study abroad, Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) is leading a sign-on letter urging colleagues to join him in requesting $5 million in FY2027 funding for the State Department’s IDEAS Program. Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA-4) is also leading a similar letter seeking his colleagues’ support for FY27 funding for all Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs at Department of State. Deadline for congressional signatures is next Wednesday, March 11. See below for a link to urge your Representative to sign both letters.
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers spoke of the importance of ECA programs before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 5, calling them “a cornerstone of American public diplomacy.” Several members of the House flagged the FY25 funding issue now affecting 22 ECA programs—due in no small part to outreach by the Alliance, NAFSA, and other partners in advance of the hearing. Read a summary of the hearing provided by the Alliance for International Exchange.
It is also heartwarming to note that the Institute for Immigration Research at George Mason University found that approximately 3 percent of athletes that competed at the recent Winter Olympics for Team USA are foreign born, and that another 13.5 percent are children of immigrant parent(s), for a total of 17 percent. Read this America’s Voice blog post for more about these incredible athletes and their international ties, including skater Vadym Kolesnik who placed fifth in Milan for Team USA while also reuniting with Ukrainian family for the first time in four years.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Have a nice weekend.
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
