Dear Erica,
Greetings from Washington, D.C. where it was 86 degrees one day and then it dropped 40 degrees and snowed the next. I am not exaggerating!
Fortunately, the mercurial weather affected our annual Advocacy Day not at all, as thanks to the wonders of Zoom, we held our virtual training on Tuesday from the comfort of our respective offices. More than 100 advocates joined us for an expert analysis of the “state of play” in Washington and our top policy priorities to support international and domestic college students’ success.
Those priorities include advocating for Optional Practical Training (OPT), the Duration of Status policy, and the Keep STEM Talent Act to help attract and retain international students, and for federal funding to sustain essential international education programs. These messages will be carried to Congress next Wednesday and you’ll be able to add your voice next week. Stay tuned for an easy way to flag these for your members of Congress.
A perennial highlight of our Advocacy Day is the announcement of the NAFSA Advocate of the Year. We are delighted to celebrate this year’s recipient, Nora Henry! Nora has distinguished herself as a gifted organizer, known for her positivity, creativity, and inclusive community-building. Please take a minute to learn more about her advocacy story and add your congratulations!
You may have seen reports that the State Department finally released F-1 visa issuance numbers covering May through August 2025, the critical period for international students seeking a visa to arrive on U.S. campuses last fall. The data shows that 36 percent fewer F-1 student visas were issued compared to the same period in 2024. Recall that NAFSA’s analysis with JB International last summer predicted new international student enrollment could drop as much as 30 to 40 percent if visa processing issues (a pause in processing, obtuse social media screening requirements, an outright travel ban, etc.) were not addressed swiftly. While the drop in visa issuance does not directly translate to the same decline in enrollment, this finding certainly validates our earlier predictions and concerns.
As NAFSA Executive Director and CEO, Fanta Aw observed: “International students today have more choices than ever, and if the United States signals that they are not welcome, they will simply go elsewhere. The consequences are real: billions in lost economic activity, tens of thousands of American jobs at risk, and damage to the nation’s global competitiveness and innovation potential.” NAFSA has reached out to request a meeting with the Secretary of Consular Affairs to discuss our long-standing concerns regarding visa processing. Explore Karin Fischer’s analysis in the Chronicle of Higher Education and this blog post by Shorelight for other takeaways from the visa issuance data.
Last week I shared with you that two sign-on letters were circulating in the House of Representatives in support of FY 2027 appropriations for the State Department. Due in part to advocate voices like yours, the letter led by Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) requesting $700.95 million for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs drew 88 signatures, an increase of six new signatures from last year, and drawing from both parties. Eleven of those signatories also signed the letter led by Rep. Brian Schneider in support of $5 million in FY27 funding for the IDEAS program. This is an outstanding collective show of support!
Rep. Deborah Ross is now leading a letter in support of Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs at Department of Education. See below for a sample message to add your thanks if your representative signed on to support State Department funding and to urge their endorsement of Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs!
Speaking of Optional Practical Training, a recent PIE News story, “How Viable is a U.S. Degree without OPT?” explores OPT and its importance in attracting international student talent to the United States. ICEF’s chief revenue officer, Ian Cann, is quoted in the story as saying, “OPT cuts the financial risk of a U.S. degree by 75%.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Thank you kindly.
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
