Dear Erica,
A new week, a new sign-on letter in support of international education. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) is again leading his Senate colleagues in calling for robust FY2027 funding for international education and exchange programs at the Department of State. The deadline for signatures is soon: Monday at 12 noon ET! Don’t delay in urging your senators to add their name!
Last week I promoted the letter led by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Todd Young (R-IN) in support of Fulbright-Hays and Title VI programs at the Department of Education. That letter closed with 23 signatures from both parties! Thank you for helping manifest support for these programs under threat by the current administration. Thank your Senators if they added their name (if they didn’t, our system won’t allow you to take action)!
It is also National Volunteer Week! Which is a wonderful opportunity for me to express my appreciation to you, my readers, for staying informed and turning that information into action by engaging members of Congress on key issues affecting the field. THANK YOU.
It is also an opportune time to share this video message from Nora Henry, our 2026 NAFSA Advocate of the Year wherein she reflects on the origins of her advocacy journey, from where she derives her inspiration, and what keeps her going. Share Nora’s message with your network and make plans to expand your advocacy toolkit at the 2026 NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo. You can search our online planner by the “advocacy” session track.
Spring is high season for U.S. students preparing to study abroad, and Spain remains a top destination. With that, there are concerns about student visa processing by the Spanish provider, BLS. NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad collaborated on a letter to the Spanish ambassador, requesting the Embassy of Spain’s assistance in addressing issues including significantly extended processing timelines, lack of responsiveness, and unclear/shifting/inconsistent requirements. More about our history of engagement on this issue is available on NAFSA’s website.
A small but vocal number of members of Congress are making their opposition to Optional Practical Training (OPT) known. Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV-02) sent a letter to new Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, requesting an end to OPT and Curricular Practical Training. Rep. Moore joins Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Rick Scott (R-FL) in speaking out against OPT. NAFSA and the U.S. for Success Coalition continue to engage key members of Congress on the value of OPT in complimenting the U.S. workforce and fueling economic growth and job creation. Be sure to deliver this same message to your Representative, with the request they cosponsor the Keep Innovators in America Act, which would make OPT part of immigration law!
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
That's all for now. Have a great weekend.
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
