Dear Erica,
Good news! On May 14, long time bill sponsors, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act! Companion legislation was also reintroduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01).
The bill, a top policy priority for NAFSA, would codify the State Department’s IDEAS program which provides grant funding for study abroad programs at U.S. colleges and universities and rename it for the late Senator Paul Simon. As Senator Durbin said in a press release: “This legislation builds on Senator Simon’s vision by creating opportunities for American students of all backgrounds to see and experience the world. By giving the next generation of students the chance to study abroad, they will be better prepared to lead successful lives and expand their worldview.”
NAFSA joined more than 50 other organizations in endorsing the Simon bill, with NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw asserting in Senator Durbin’s press release: “Expanding global learning is not a luxury; it is a national imperative.” The bill’s introduction—after prolonged advocacy by NAFSA—is welcome affirmation that bipartisan collaboration is still happening on Capitol Hill! Stay tuned for a message you can send members of Congress about the importance of cosponsoring this legislation.
Another affirmation that international education has bipartisan support came straight from President Trump yesterday. In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News during a state visit to China, Trump said: "I frankly think it's good that people come from other countries and they learn our culture, and many of them want to stay here, I think it's good." He also added that it is “a very insulting thing to tell a country 'we don't want your people in our schools’” and acknowledged that doing so could push other countries to expand their own university systems to retain young talent.
Which is a perfect segue to share two new resources that speak to international student mobility shifts and the growing global competition for international student talent. NAFSA joined Studyportals and the Oxford Test of English in producing another edition of the Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey. Drawing responses from more than 250 institutions in 36 countries, the survey found that half of universities surveyed reported lower new international student enrollments in January through March 2026 compared to the same intake last year. The ‘‘Big Four” destinations Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States experienced the sharpest enrollment drops. European countries and Asian-Pacific countries, with the exception of Australia, reported enrollment growth. Download the report to explore more of their findings, including which initiatives institutions with increased enrollment credit for their success.
Meanwhile, IDP Education released their Emerging Futures 9 survey which captured more than 5,800 responses from prospective and current international students across 118 countries and regions as well as interviews with IDP education counselors. Their analysis shows that although the Big Four remain the leading first-choice study destinations, more students are now ruling out their preferred destination earlier in the decision-making process and considering alternatives. Download the report for more insights.
Lastly, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement held a press conference earlier this week to disclose allegations of abuses in the Optional Practical Training program. NAFSA issued a statement in response that highlights the field’s commitment to ensuring compliance with all U.S. immigration laws and asserts both the value of SEVIS and the Optional Practical Training program.
More next week! Thanks for reading.
Best,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
