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International Student & Scholar Services
New Process to Submit Form I-515A Documentation
On June 27th, SEVP announced a new process to submit Form I-515A documents for review. The new process expedites the Form I-515A processing times while eliminating the costs and risks associated with mailing original documents. Information about the new process is available at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2024/06/new-process-to-submit-form-i-515a-documentation
Potential Future Relief for DACA Recipients and Dreamers
The Biden Administration has indicated that it will be proposing an administrative action that streamlines access to employment-based visas for eligible DACA recipients and other Dreamers. Detailed information about this potential relief and the potential timelines is available at https://www.presidentsalliance.org/dreamers-access-to-employment-based-visas-using-d-3-waivers/ and https://www.presidentsalliance.org/dreamers-access-to-employment-based-visas-using-d-3-waivers-messaging/
ISSS in the News!
In a reversal, Trump promises green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. colleges
Karin Fischer of the Chronicle decodes Trump statements about international students and automatic green cards.
https://www.chronicle.com/newsletter/latitudes/2024-06-26?
What a new generation of international students means for American colleges
In the latest issue of Latitudes, Karin Fischer takes an in-depth look at the recent Open Doors report and provides several key takeaways. The data reveal an overall rebound in international enrollment numbers in the United States, following the significant declines during the COVID-19 pandemic but the general landscape is very different from what it was in the prepandemic era. The biggest change, according to Fischer, is that increases in international enrollment are driven by Indian students seeking master's degrees. As Fischer points out, "There now are more foreign graduate students in the United States than there were international undergraduates during the heyday of the China boom."
The piece also explores driving factors in global student mobility trends, the impact of high U.S. visa refusal rates, post-study employment opportunities, and more.
https://www.chronicle.com/newsletter/latitudes/2024-06-12
Two thirds of students “undeterred” by US immigration policies
A recent survey of international students in the United States has found that for two-thirds of respondents (67 percent), U.S. immigration policies didn't negatively impact their decision to study in the United States. And 72 percent reported that they didn't experience any difficulties in the visa process, "indicating a generally positive experience with immigration procedures."
The survey was conducted by Terra Dotta among 356 students from around the world currently studying in the United States. PIE News notes the relatively small number of respondents from African countries, where significant visa processing issues have been reported. See the Government & Public Affairs Update section below to learn about NAFSA's ongoing advocacy on this issue.
https://thepienews.com/us-terra-dotta-survey/
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